The Closset of Magnetical Miracles Ʋn­lock'd, or the properties and secrets of the Load-stone Reveal'd, serving not only for Sea Affairs, but also for Tra­velling by Land; for moveable Dyals, for the more ready and exact Choro­graphy in any Countrey; the Plotting of any Ground, the following of a Mi­neral Veine; as also useful for Pioners and Diggers of Mines, &c.

NExt to the Inventions of Printing and Guns may be added the Marriners Compass, of which Bodin thus Confidently speaks, Cum Magnete nihil sit Admi­rabili us in tota rerum natura, usum tamen ejus plane divi­num Antiqui ignorarunt: Though there be nothing more admirable then the Load-stone in the whole course of Nature, yet of the Divine use of it were the Ancients ignorant: and Bl [...]ndus, certum est Navigandi cuxilium Priscis omnino fuisse incognitum: It is certain that the help of Sayling was altogether unknown to the Anci­ents. And Cardan a Man much versed in the rarities of Nature, inter ceterum rerum inventa admiratione pri­mum digna est ratio Nautica pyxidis: Amongst other rare Inventions, that of the Marriners Compass is most worthy of admiration. By means of it was Navigation perfected; the Lives and Goods of many thousands have been, and daily are preserved: it finds out a way thorow the vast Ocean, in the greatest Storms and [Page 38] darkest Nights, where there is neither Path to follow, nor Inhabitant or Passenger to inquire: it points out the way to the skilful Marriner when all other helps fail him, and that more certainly though it be without reason, sense and life, then without the help thereof all the Wisards and Learned Clerks in the World, using the united strength of their Wits and Cunning can possibly do: by means of it are the Commodities of all Countreys discovered, Trade, Traffiqe, and Hu­mane Society maintained; their several forms of Go­vernment and Religion observed, and the whole World as it were made one Common-wealth, and the most distant Nations fellow Citizens of the whole Body Politick.

This wonderful Instrument we have described by several Authors, but for the reason thereof, I say with Acosta, Let others search but the causes of this so wonder­ful an Instrument, and pretend therein I know not what Sympathy, I for my part as oft as I look upon it, I cannot but exceedingly admire, and most willingly praise the Pow­er and Providence of God.

Whether it were known to the Ancients or no, some doubt is moved, as of all things else there is: but herein, in my Judgment, without any sufficient reason. For can we conceive that so rare a device and of so singular use could be known to Aristotle, Theophrastus, Fliny, Dio­scorides, Galen, and that we should no where in any of their Works find the least mention of it. Surely, I for my part can never believe it, neither can I be perswad­ed that so pretious and useful an Invention could possibly be entertained and commonly practised, and yet lost out of the World as if it had never been; but that indeed it was not practised, appears by this, that the Ancients, when by a Storm or Mist they had lost the sight of the Lights of Heaven, they had no remedy to fly unto; as Blondus saith; Nullum C [...]to Nullitus obscurato a Magne­te aut alio instrumento petebatur auxilium, when the Hea­ven [Page 39] was darkned with Clouds, they had no assistance from the Load-stone or any other instrument. As Virgil hath it in his 5th Aeneid.

Saith the Poet, as long as the Stars appeared; but when they were Bemisted, they then wandred they knew not whether. As Virgil hath it again in his Third Aeneid.

And in St. Pauls Coasting Voyage by Sea, when that they had lost the sight of the Sun and the Stars, all hope that they should be saved was taken away.

A great doubt presents it self to us, which is about the time and Author of this Invention, when and by whom it should first be found out and set on foot. Doct. Gilbert our Country-man (who hath Written in Latine [...] Large and Learned discourse of the properties of the Load-stone) seems to be of the Opinion that Paulus Venetus brought the Invention of the use thereof from the Chineses. Osorius in his discourse of the Acts of King Emanuel, refers it to Gama and his Country-men [...]he Portugals, who as he pretends, took from certain Barbarous Pyrates roving upon the Sea; about the Cape of good hope. Coropius Becanus likewise thinks he had great reason to Intitle it upon his Country-men [Page 40] the Garmans, in as much as the 32 Winds upon the Compass borrow their Names from the Dutch in all Languages. But Blondus, who is therein followed by Pancerollus, both Italians, will not have Italy loose the praise thereof, telling us that about 300 years agoe, it was found out at Malphis or Melphis, a City in the Kingdom of Naples, in the Province of Campania, now called Terrae di Lavoradoe; but the Author of it the one names him not, and the other assures us, he is not known: yet Salmuth out of Ciezus and Gomara confi­dently Christens him with the Name of Flavius, and so doth [...]u Bartas in those excellent Verses touching this Subject.

It may well be then that Flavius the Metuitan, was the first Inventor of guiding of a Ship by turning the Needle to the North: But some German afterwards added to the Compass, the 32 Points of the Wind in his own Language, whence other Nations have since borrowed it. But surely great pitty it is that the Au­thor of such an Invention, is not both more certainly known and more honourably esteemed. He is better in [Page 41] my judgment to be inrolled and ranked amongst the great Benefactors of the World, then many who for their supposed Merits of Mankind were Deifyed a­mongst the Heathens, So that it may be said of the In­ventor,

Questionless those of former Ages were for want of this knowledge so ignorant of the Art of Navigation that they ingraved non Ʋltra on Her [...]les Pillars, that the Nations about Po [...]tus, thought no Sea in the World like their own, and doubted whether there were any other Sea but that only, whereof it came that Pontus was a word used for the Sea in general, that the Ae­gyptians, held otherwise a witty people, used to coas [...] the shores of the Red Sea upon Raffs, devised by King Erythrus: And in the time of the Romans, the Brittains our Ancestours had a kind of a Boat (with which they crost the Seas) made all of twigs and covered with Leather, of which Lucan the Poet.

And to the like purpose is that of Festus Aviennus.

But that which is more observable is, that the Jews were so unskilful in this Art, as they commonly called the Mediteranean Sea, the great Sea; not being in those times, as it seems, much acquainted with the Ocean. And though the Phenicians and Carthagini­ans, the Tyrians and the Sydonians, are much renown­ed in Histories for great Navigators; yet it is thought by the Learned, that those Voyages they performed, was only by coasting, and not by crossing the Sea.

Saith Fracastorius, and Acosta, Equidem Navigati­onem altissimo Oceano commissam neque apud Veteres Lego, neque apud illis aliter Oceanum Navigntum puto quam a nostris Mediterraneum. That the An [...]ients ad­ventured themselves into the Main Ocean; neither do I read it in any of their Waters, nor do I believe that they otherwise sailed over the Ocean, then we do now over the Meditterranean Sea, and it should seem they undertook not their longest Voyages without Oares, which the Scripture implies in that under­taken by Jonas, where the Marriners upon the rising [Page 43] of a Violent Tempest were constrained to use their Oars.

The perfection then of this Art, seems by God's Providence to have been reserved to these later times, of which Pearo de Medona, and Baptista Ramusio have given excellent Precepts. But the Art it self hath been happily practised by the Portugals, the Spaniards, the Holland [...]rs, and our own Nation, whose Voy­ages and Discoveries, Master Hacklait hath collected and reported in several Volumes, inlarged and per­fected by Mr, Purchas, and it might be wished as well for the Honour of the English Name, as the benefit that might thereby redound to other Nations, that his Collections and Relations had been Written in Lattin, or that some Learned Pen would be pleased to turn them into that Language. Among many others in this kind, the Noble spirited Drake may not be forgotten, who God being his Guide, Wit, Skill, Valour and Fortune his Attendants, was next after Magellanus that Sailed about the World. Whereupon one writ these Verses unto him.

P. Columbus, being in the company of some brag­ing prating fellows, amongst other of their fooleries they fell upon him, and said he had done nothing but they could do. After he had patiently heard them, he called for an Egg, and asked which of them could make it stand upon one of the ends, they said they could not do it; why then says he I can, and breaking one of the ends, he fixt it. Why said they this we can do, yes verily says he without doubt, this is but an easie enterprise, yet this you could not do till you have seen me first do it.

For the better breeding, continuance, and increase of Pilots amongst us, it would doubtless be a good and a profitable work (according to Mr. Huckluit's honest Motion in his Epistle Dedicatory to the Lord Admiral) if any Man who hath the means, had likewise the mind to give allowance for the reading of a Lecture o [...] Navigation in London, in imitation of the late Em­perour Charles the Fifth, who wisely considering the rawness of the Sea-men, and the manifold Shipwracks which they sustained in passing betwixt Spain and the West Indies, established not only a Pilot Major for the examination of such as were to takes charge of Ships in that Voyage, but also founded a Lecture for the Art of Navigation, which to this day is read at the Construction-house at Sevil; the readers of which Lecture have not only carefully taught and instructed the Spanish Marriners by word of mouth, but have also published several exact and worthy Treatises con­cerning Marine causes, for the direction and incourage­ment of Posterity: and namely these three, Alonzo de Chanez, Hieronimo de Chanez, and Roderigo Zamerum, and to this purpose it was a commendable work of Mr. Gelibrand Reader of Gresham-Colledge for the improvement and advancement of the Art of Na­vigation published a most excelent Book of Logarithmes.

But to return to the Sobject we have now in hand, [Page 45] concerning the nature, powerfulness, and strange pro­ [...]erties of the Load-stone are such, that the more they [...]re known, the more they are justly admired in their most Lively expressing that infinite power and goodness of God, who Created so pretious a Jewel for the profi­ [...]able use of Man, and for the inlarging and setting forth of his lory. Into the search of which admirable and secret Virtues, my self for the space of some years [...]ave made a strict Inquiry, partly by Reading of other mens Writings, and partly by my own Industry and [...]ractice: whereby what I have collected and found, his little Treatise will shew.

I doe acknowledge that the wonderful property of [...]he body of the whole Earth, called the Magnetical Vir­ [...]ue (is most admirably found out, and Learnedly dis­coursed by Doctor Gilbert, Physitian to the renowned Queen Elizabeth, of happy Memory) Is the [...]ery true Fountain of all Magnetical Knowledge, for [...]ll our later Authors have but borrowed from this Country-man of ours. And though certain properties [...]f the Load-stone were known before his time, yet all [...]he reasons of those properties were altogether un­know, and never before revealed as I take it to the [...]ons of men. And although as yet many doe doubt and mistrust the Earth it self hath no such Virtue, I doe no­thing wonder at it, because before I read his Learned Works, and had tryed many of his Experiments with my own hands, and had confered with great Travellers, and perused the observations of our chiefest Navigators, both for the Variations and Declinations, I never be­ [...]ieved it my self. But this I may truly affirm, that searching with diligence his first fine Books, and mak­ [...]ng Tryal of those Propositions which I judged to be of Importance, I always found the main drift touching this point, constant and agreeable to the diligent Ob­servations of many men of Experience; although in some other matters of the Load-stone his Experiments and [Page 46] mine did sometimes disagree. But concerning his sixt Book Entreating of the motion of the Earth; I think there is no Man living further from believing it then my self, being nothing at all perswaded thereun­to, by reasons of other men, which he alledgeth, and as little or less (if it were possible) by those his Inven­tions, endeavouring to prove the motion of the Earth by the Earths Magnetical Force and Virtue. Amicus Socrates, Amicus Pla [...]o, sed Magis amica veritas is the only cause why I do embrace his judgment in the one, and refuse it in the other, in matters of this nature fol­lowing this Rule.

Reader be pleased to pass by this digressiion, we are to return hearty thanks to God, who hath revealed unto the weak Knowledge of Man, now towards the end of the World, this admirable Treasure, before unknown, of his powerful Creation, by effect so plain unto the meanest Capacity: and that out of a base con­temptible and dead a Creature, as it seemeth to be, and yet filled with such excellent wonderful Virtue, that all the Gems of the World have not the like; nei­ther if it were wanting, could they supply the want thereof, or countervaile the Benifit that it brings to the Life of Man.

Clandian (a Famous Poet) well near Twelve-hun­dred years since, saith as much commendations of the Magnet, when as yet the Sereditical or Iron drawing Properties was only known.

And again.

But what would he not have said, had he seen the Closset indeed of all Magnetical Miracles Unlocked, and in so glorious a manner set wide open, as now it is at this day, had he had Load-stones of divers forms, but espe­cially round ones: also such Versory Needles fitly fram­ed, and Artificially placed upon their Pins and other Implements, as are prescribed; wherewith being fur­nished, he might still see the Truth of them in things themselves, for these skills must be Learned, ex rebus ipsis non solum ex Libris, and withall there are several Figures and Diagrams which cannot be understood, but by the help of the Mathematicks, and good Travel­ling in the Magnetical Practice.

To be short, of all that I have set down in this Trea­tise, my request is, that the Reader will admit nothing but that which shall be confirmed by good Reason or undoubted Experience. And I purpose God willing, to tye my self as strictly unto this Rule, as ever any Man did that hath Written of the like Argument, making it even a matter of Conscience to deliver any thing herein, for certainty, that my self shall not know to be sound. And so by this means I shall neither abuse the Reader with any untrue assertion, nor injure so certain and so excellent a Knowledge, with any doubtful or repro­veable Conclusions.

It is a common Proverb, that in Stones; Woods and Herbs, consisteth great Virtue: which saying is doubt­less most manifest by the daily experience of the Load-stone, found in sundry parts of India; some will have it to be found in Spain, by one Named Heraeleon (as Hi­cander [Page 48] saith) where, in the time of his keeping of Cat­tle, the Iron Nailes of his Shoos and Pike of his Staff cleft fast to the Stone. Of these Magnets are five sorts or kinds, as Soracus writeth: One of Aetheopi [...] another of Macedonia, a third in Echio of Boecia, the fourth at Troades of Alexandria, the fifth of Magnesi [...] Asiae. The difference of the stone is, whether it be Male or Female. The next difference is in Colour: for that which is found in Macedonia and Magnesiae, i [...] ruddish and black, and of Female kind, and therefore without Virtue. The worst of Magnesia Asiae is white, and attracteth not Iron, it is like unto a Pumice stone. Some approve those for the best which are Blew, of a Heavenly colour. That of Aethiope is most praised (and as Pliny saith) is sold for the weight in Silver. This is found in Zimri, a sandy Region of Aethiop [...] where is also found Haematites Magnes, of Bloody co­lour, appearing like Blood if it be ground, and also like Saffron, which in drawing of Iron is not of the like vir­tue to the Haematites Magnes. All these are reputed good Medicines for the Eyes, each of them according to their Portion, and doe especially stay the Epiphorus (that is) the dropping and watering of the Eyes; and also being burnt and made in powder, they heal Burn­ings. Not far from the same place in Aethiopia, is a Mountain which produceth the stone called Theamedes which putteth from it, and refuseth Iron. I have often proved the virtue and power of the Load-stone, by the Needle which is in some Dyals, by the attraction there of, moving it self from side to side, and round about. And as we shall hereafter more fully shew, although the stone were under a Table, yet doth the Needle being above the Table, naturally follow the moving o [...] the stone. It is therefore (for this we only insert by the bye) if there be great virtue in Stones, Woods and Herbs. It hath also been proved that the Ships Com­pact with Iron Nailes, Sayling by the Sea of Aethiope [Page 49] and by a Tempest driven to Land, to certain Capes or Lands ends, have by these stonas either been drawn to the bottom of the Sea, or else the Nailes being drawn out by the Virtue of the stone, the Ship hath falen in a thousand pieces. And therefore the discreet and wary Cantabrians, expert Mariners Sayling by the Aethiopi­an Sea, frame their Ships with Pins and Hoops of wood, to prevent the danger that might chance on the same occasion.

This stone is known by colour, virtue, weight and equality, the best colour is said to be like pure Iron, shining, mixed with Indian or Heavenly colour, and is in a manner like Iron Polished. This stone is also of­ten times found in Norway and Elua, and in certain Regions of the North, and is brought from thence to certain Regions in Normandy and Flanders. The experience of the virtue of the stone, is easie, for it attracteth to it a great weight of Iron, It is judged to be strong, and the heavier also the better. By equality it is judged, if it be alike in one substance and colour: but if it be unequal with chapes (as we shall hereafter express) together with hollow places indented, having red spots here and there, it is unapt not so fit for the Art of Navigation, or of continual Motion. It repre­senteth the similitude of Heaven, for like as in Heaven there are two points immoveable, ending in the Axle-tree of the Sphere, upon which the whole Frame of Heaven is turned (as may be experienced by the Art that Christal and other stones are Polished) even so the Load-stone reduced into a Globious or round Form, laying thereon a Needle or any other like Iron, then which way soever the Needle turneth and resteth, thereby is shewed the place of the Poles; and that this may be done more certainly, it must be often times at­tempted, and the Line shewed by the Needle, must be observed, for such Lines shall cut the one, the other in two Points, as the Meridian Circles joyn together [Page 50] the Poles of the World: but of this also, more shall hereafter he said. This shall for the present be only in­stanced.

[depiction of a stone that is used in a compass]

That if the round stone (as is said) be found in the place which often times draws Iron, if then the point doe exactly appear, part of the broken Needle must be laid upon the sinne, and be so often by little and little transposed, untill the Style or [...]in be Perpendicler, or Plummet do directly fall upon the stone, for there on the contrary part, by like manner shall be found the other Pole. A. shall be the true point, and B. the false.

Load-stones, let them be of what parts soever of the World, have the self same general directive proper­ty. I mean, of shewing the North and South, and also the self same Points respective, declining or dip­ping under the Horizon. They do likewise agree in their variations, and each one will draw Iron, and likewise one another. Every Load-stone, of what form soever it be, hath either actually or potentially two points, the one Northern, the other Southern. [Page 51] Actually, if either by casualty (if it so fall out) or by [...]ndustry the stone be fashioned, that those two oppo­ [...]e points be eminent or perspicious therein: Potenti­ [...]lly, if that either the stone be flat, and but thin in the dimension of the North and South though broad other­wise, for so shall the virtue of the stone be dispersed to the extream parts thereof, in the Edges round about; or if fit have two opposite points in any concavity, then will the stone shew in the eminent Border or Edge of that concavity only a confused dull force, and in the concavi­ty very little or nothing at all. That stone is also well proportioned for touching which resembleth an Oval form, and hath his due points in his ends, and is void of any bunch or concavity; for the general form of a stone being good, every concavity is a diminishing of his force, and every bunch is a superfluous Burthen; Insomuch that my self have had experience of a stone, that of substance was very good, and of weight was three and twenty ounces, but of disordered form, it therefore took away twelve ounces from him, and yet diminished not one jote of his force. And this I did in a stone that was all of like force, but if it be one that is intermixed of divers substances (as many such there are, and those easily discovered by their colour) you may sometimes take away three quarters or more of his substance without diminishing any thing at all of his vir­tue: we have already said the Iron colour is best: ve­ry black or white seldom proves good; gray indiffe­rent: the mo [...] white is in any stone, so much the [...]rse. Th [...]e are certain that are of an Iron colour, m [...]gl [...] [...] of which [...] are good and some bu [...] [...].

[...] w [...]y you may prove whether a Magnet be go [...] [...] the [...] is by [...] a [...] Iron with the bare st [...]e; that other by giving more or less virtue to a Knife, on any thing to lift Iron the third is if it will with good strength move a Magnetical Needle a pretty good [Page 50] [...] [Page 51] [...] [Page 52] distance off, and readily alter the ends of the Needle without touching them, making the North South, and the South North: the two latter do never fail, but the first doth divers times. And very certain it is, that whatsoever stone doth most stronly impart his force to a Knife, or move a Needle with quickness, the power and lifting up of Iron is such a one, will mightily be increased with a Cap. For this is general­ly the nature of all Magnets, that if there be two of different quantities, and of equal strength in lifting up Iron, the greater will give the stronger touch, and move a Magnetical Needle farther off, although the lesser will take as much Iron, or somthing more than the grea­ter. And again, suppose there be a Load-stone of a pound weight, that being fitly armed, will take up four pounds of Iron, and not above, if you divide him into very small pieces, you shall find of them, being orderly used, that will lift up twenty times his own weight and a great deale more, if they be very small, as of three or four Grains weight; and yet where the great one will give a touch unto a Knife for to take up four ounces of Iron, and will move a Magnetical Nee­dle three Foot off; this little one will not give a touch to a Knife to take up a Needle, nor move a Magnetical Needle four Inches off; that as a Magnet is diminished in substance (I mean a Magnet of a regular for it) so doth he loose in his virtue and touching and increaseth in his small [...] for lifting [...]p Iron, [...]hereby it is manifest that these two properties [...] joyntly together in the [...]. [...]nd here hence it is that many [...] ally set in [...]ings [...] a great piece [...] [...]he great one (whose par [...]icie [...] they are) [...] great one, should do the [...], namely to take in so many times their own weights. Also very often it is seen, that Magnets being of like form and weight, but [Page 53] of divers kinds, the one will take up more Iron of him­ [...]elf without the Cap, and yet the other give a far stron­ger touch; but then, if you do fit both of them accord­ [...]ngly with Caps, he which gave the stronger touch, will take up more Iron then the other. The principal [...]orce of the Load-stone well proportioned, passeth in [...] direct Line from the middle of his substance, being (as it were) a center, through his two ends or points, which are the imaginary likes of his chiefest force, from which center, there isse infinite others also through all parts of the superficies of the stone on either side, be­tween the two extream points of the middle, all which on either side of the middle, being of one nature and property, in respect of their touch are exceedingly different in strength, for that still waxeth less and less as it approacheth, continually nearer and nearer the middle, where at length in the middle, between the two ends, it utterly fainteth and cometh to nothing. The Load-stone communicateth his property to the Iron or Steel that is touched with it, so far forth, as the Iron or Steel which is touched, hath the ability to receive, and so that good skill in the touching be obser­ved, Steel is far better then Iron, and receiveth a far strongen touch, and much more effectual. The purer Steel, so much the better; and if it be Iron, the purer likewise the better, always regarding that both of them be very smooth and clean, and have their due temper. The principal property in common use, is the shewing of North and South in the Horizon, with the appendants thereunto belonging, which is more apparant, more strong, and more commodious in the Iron and Steel, that is touched, then it is in the stone it self, because the substance of them may be filled and cut away, and drawn into any form that we like or approve of our selves, which the substance of the stone will not per­mit, The Lood-stone is of such a nature, that every piece broken off and seperated from the whole, hath all [Page 54] the properties of the whole, the same several points North and South, and ability also for the touch, like in kind, though not of equal power, according to the quantity and proportion of the Piece, and the part of the Stone that it is taken from, and this property in a meaner sort hath touched the Needle and the Wyar of a compass also.

That one stone may draw another, lay the one upon a board or box in the Water, that it may freely float and hold another in your hand, If then the North part of the stone, which you hold in your hand, you turn towards the South part of that which floateth in the box, or otherwise the South part to the North, the floating stone shall turn towards your hand, and if contrarywise, you turn the like part to his like, that is to say, the South part to the south, &c. the floating Stone shall fly from you. By this experiment certain Phisitians are confuted, who dispute on this manner, If Scemmonea draw unto it choler, by Similitude or Likeness of Nature, Ergo, much more should one Magnet draw another, rather then Iron: So that what they assume falsely we have now taught to be true. The like judgment is of the long slender Iron which is rubbed with the Stone; For if in the Water it be laid on a light piece of Wood, or a straw, or such like, so that it may freely float upon the Water, the one end of it shall turn to the North, and the other to the South. And if holding the Stone in your hand, you turn his North point to the South extremity or end, or contrarywise, the Stone shall then draw Iron, but contrarily, if you turn the like part to the like, (as is aforesaid) it shall fly from the Iron and drive it away.

The reason is, that the agent doth not onely indea­vour to make the patient like it self, but also in such a manner to unite it with himself, that of them two be made one, as may appear by this reason. Take the same Magnes A D. of which A. signifieth the North point, and D. the South. Divide the Stone into two parts, A B. and C. D, put A B. to the Water as is said, and by this means you shall see A. turn to the North, and B. to the South. For the breaking or dividing of the Stone (as we said) diminisheth not the Virtue thereof, so that it be Homogenie, that is, all parts alike. Take therefore A B. for the patient, and C D. for the agent, then whereas the agent, in the best man­ner it may, worketh to conserve the order of Nature, [...]t is manifest that D. cannot draw C, the South: For although they could by that means be joyned, yet should not so be made one of them two, the parts [Page 56] remaining in their Vertue: For if A. should remain North, then D. should be South, which is certain to have the powers of the North.

[depiction of the earth's magnetic fields]

Neither contrariwise shall C. draw A. for both are Northly, and so should B. be the North which first was South, and D. in like manner: For so should the order of Nature be inverted. It remaineth there­fore that A. shall naturally draw D. and B. shall draw C. for so every way shall remain of equall strength. Some ignorant Men were of opinion, that the Vertue of the Load-stone was not derived from Heaven, but rather of the nature of the place where it is engendred, saying that the Mines thereof are found in the North, and that therefore ever one part of the stone extendeth towards the North. But they surely are ignorant that this stone is found in other places whereof it should as well follow that it should extend it self to other and divers parts, as to the North; which [Page 57] thing is false, as is well known by common experience, For it ever Moveth to the North in whatsoever place [...]it be. Neither is it to be believed, that the North-Star of the Marriners is the Pole: For as much as that Star is without the Meridian Line, and but twice within one revolution of the Firmament. But where­as the Marvelous Vertue of this Stone dependeth of Heaven, who would believe that only two points thereof should so turn themselves, and that rather every part of it should not incline to some like part in Heaven, as may thus be proved. Let the Stone be brought into a Spherical round forme, as is said, and the Poles being found, let it be turned upon two pins, or Turners instruments, and there be pullyshed, un­till it be on every part of equall heaviness, which you may well find by often proving: For that part that falleth down is heaviest, which done, frame in a Me­ridian Circle with the Horizon, wherein fasten two other pins on which it may easily move, and divide the Poles most exactly to the Poles of the World, the which if it come well to pass, rejoyce that then you have found one of the greatest Miracles of Natural things. For you shall by this means see the Ascendent, the place of the Sun, and the like, &c. at every Moment. But if it fall not out according to your de­sire, you ought not to impute that to the Art, but to your own ignorance and negligence, For if you ex­ecute and perform all things duly and aright accord­ing to Art, you need not to doubt the success.

How these Instruments by this Stone may be framed, by the which may be found the Azimuths of the Sun and Star (that is to say, Verticall Circles) it shall not here be necessary to shew, forasmuch as the same is easily done by the Marriners Compass, or by the Box with the Magnes or Load-stone inclosed, and floating above the Water, with a pin erected, and in the uppermost part divided into 360 parts, after the manner of Astro­nomy.

That you may easily find out the chief points of any Load-stone of what forme soever, you must make a respective or declinatory Needle, of an Inch or there­abouts in length, and giving him his touch, fasten him by the Axis upon a little forked stick, or any thing like it, that the Needle may have free scope, then offer the Stone (as we said before) near the Needle, turning of it round about, and immediatly you shall see the North of the Needle (as it is as yet common­ly called, because it pointeth toward the North) point directly unto the true North end of the Stone as soon as it commeth near unto it, and as you turn away the end of the Stone, the Needle will point somewhat towards it, till the South end of the Stone approacheth (as we have in part declared) for then will the Needle wheele about the Axis, and point directly with his South, and to the South ef the Stone. But if you hold the Needle near to the Stone, in such sort that it cannot turn about at liberty, then the force of the Stone may soon change the properties of the ends of the Needle, that the one point which was North shall become South, and that other which was South shall become North, yet the thing it self is easily discerned: for the Norther­ly end will alwayes hang lower.

[depiction of a compass with a needle curving under the pressure of magnetic force]

And wheresoever the Needle, being held nearer to the stone, doth stand parrallell unto it, not in­clineing with either end towards the stone, there di­rectly, under the middle of the Needle, the North and the South properties of the stone do divide and part themselves. This matter is much better perform­ed with a small narrow Load-stone of half an Inch (more or less) in length, haveing in the ends his due points of North and South and wrought over with silk of two colours from the middle to each end; as for Example, Yellow and White; that part which point­eth over to the North let it, be wrought over with White, and the other with Yellow. Then if you hang that in the middle by a fine silk thred, and apply it to any other Load-stone, the South end of the one will readily find out the North end of the other; and contrarywise, In like manner, with this Magnetical Instrument you may see two pretty conclusions. The one if you touch a knife with the end of a forceable Load-stone, whether it be North or South, and hang this wrought on by a silke thred in the middle, that it may hang freely, the one end will crave towards the point of the knife, and the other will not abide it. The [Page 60] other is, if you hang it end long, with the true North end, right over the North end of a forcible Load-stone, or with the South end over the South end of the other, you shall see that it will in no wise (being let down) come unto the North point of the Load-stone, but will (contrary to Phylosophycal Principles, that heavy things should tend directly downwards) by the means of the Silk Thread, swim or wheele the end of the Load-stone in the Air: yea, and lift it self somewhat upwards, ra­ther then perpendicularly light down upon it; yea, that it will doe although you place a Plate of Silver or Brass, or any such thing, between the stone and it self.

The second way is to take a Thread of a common Sowing Needle, and touch the point of it with the North end of a Load-stone whose points you would find out, holding the Needle about an Inch from it, and in turning the stone about, you shall presently see the Needle point to the North end, when by your turning it cometh near. The contrary effect ensueth, if you touch the point of the Needle with the other end of the stone, wherein you may behold that ancient conceived, and of late years maintained opinion of the contrariety of the Load-stone and the Theamedes to be no other­wise then a contrary property of one and the self same Magnes.

The third way, is to breake off the point of a Sowing Needle half an Inch or longer (if the stone be good) but not above a quarter of an Inch (if it be a base stone) lay it upon the stone, and move it to and fro upon the superficies thereof (being smooth) with the Needles point forwards, and as it cometh near any of the two points of force, it will raise it self more and more: but being brought unto the point it self, it will stand there strait upright; if the stone be ragged, this cannot be practiced, otherwise of all other it is the most certain way. Now whether it be your North or South end the effect will soon declare.

The fourth way is, that you having an ordinary Dy­al, or a Sailing Compass, or any Magnetical Needle standing on a sharp point, hold near thereunto the stone [...]ning it in your hand, then will the North end of the Needle (I mean the end that pointeth to the North) respect the true North point of the stone.

The fifth way is also, if you touch a common so [...]ing Needle (the longer the better) and put it through a little piece of C [...]k not bigger then may well bare it up, so that by the means thereof it may swim in a Bason of Wa­ter, the same if you offer the stone unto it, will shew the like effect. And here it is to be remembred, that none other way whatsoever will more readily or truely define the Magnetical Meridian. And therefore as it is very requisite for many purposes, that every Traveller by Land, but more especially by Sea, should always have (if he may) an aequinoctial Dyal with him, so would I not with that any of them should be without some Sowing Needles, touched with a good stone, which will both serve the proper uses of Sowing without im­pairing their touch (for it is open Air and Rust that are the greatest Enemies thereof) and at any time with a piece of Cork or a dry Stick in the Water the Magne­tical Meridian may be seen; a matter though mean and trivial in shew, yet between whiles of so great impor­tance, that it may serve to save many mens lives.

A sixt way is also, if you prepare a little round Load-stone of a quarter of an Inch Diameter or thereabouts (but it must be a very good one) having his Poles mark­ed and sitted in such manner, that it easily turn about in a little Frame according to the following Picture. The like also in his manner will come to pass, if you have a small declinatory Needle in a frame, in this manner,

[depiction of two magnets]

Then by moving it in his Frame all over the stone the North Pole of this will find the South of the other and likewise will the South, the North of the great one; for it is not in outward shew one Magnet and another, as is between a Magnet and a Magnetical Needle, the contrary ends of the Magnet will covet in their motion to meet together, but the end of the Needle which turneth North, will come unto the North of the stone: For in very truth it is the South point of the Needle, even as the Magnet it self being placed in a Wooden Dish in Water, will turn with his North end to the South, and with his South end Dish and all, towards the North. The like effect will also follow if you hang as aforesaid a small Load-stone in the middle of a small Silk Thread, and that it may freely turn without impediment, according to its nature; but this property it will shew quicker or flower, according unto the goodness of the substance and fitness of the form. The best form for this purpose is the extended [...]all, having his Poles precisely in the ends. If his Poles be some pretty distance, the one end towards the East of the stone, and the other as much towards the West; this stone in his length will not point to the Magnetical North and South (as otherwise he would) but unto some other point of the Horizon yea, following this experiment in this manner, you may make him stand in any one Point of the Compass: only [Page 63] you ought to abridge the stone in his length that he may [...]ome somewhat nearer to a circular form, so that is diameter of North and South (being through the Magnetisme of the Earth, the cause of this motion) [...]ay be so much the longer in comparison of the Mass of [...]he stone, and consequently more effectual. After the [...]ke manner you may so touch the Wyars of a Com­ [...]ass, that the Flower de Luce of the flie, stand unto what point of the Horizon you please, although the [...]iameter of the Wyars do still remain fixed under the Flower de Luce, and the South point of the Card.

Finally to conclude this point with some Magnetical Delights, if you touch two Sowing Needles in a contra­ [...]y manner; that is, the point of the one Northrely, and [...]he other Southerly, and set them with their Corks the one at the one side of a Bason of Water, and the other at the other, you shall see them, as quickned with Vital Spirit, even so to move the one end towards the other, at the first fair and softly, but when they draw near they will rush together (as it were) with a kind Violence, the point of the one striking precisely at the point of the other, you must place the Needle, whose point is [...]ouched for the North on the South fide of the Bason otherwise the heads and not the points will run to­gether; a thing far more worthy of admiration, then all the self movers of any Dadalus or Archita [...] Tarenti­nus, and more strange to behold then the Connexion of [...]ron Rings combined by Virtue Magnetical, whereat St. Augustine so much, and that justly, did wonder.

Another excellent and secret conclusion upon this stone, pretended to be found out in these latter times; [...]s, that by touching two Needles with the same stone, they being severally set so as they may turn upon two round Tables, hanging on their Borders the Alphabet written Circuler wise, if two Friends agreeing upon the time, the one at Paris, the other at London (having each of them their Table thus equally fitted) be dispo­sed [Page 64] upon certain days and at certain hours to confer, it is to be done by turning the Needle in one of the Tables to the Alphabet, and the other by Sympathy will turn it self in the self same manner in the other Table, though never so far distant: Which conclusion if infallibly true, may likewise prove of good and great consequence: howsoever I will set it down as I find it described by Faminanus Arada, Lib 2. Prolus 6. in imitatton of the Stile and Vain of Lucretius.

Of this devise, how two absent Friends might confer [...]at a great distance, Viginerius in his Annotations upon T. Livius, speaketh somewhat in the 1316 Columne of [...]his first Volumne; as namely, that a Letter might be Read through a stone Wall of three Foot thick, by guid­ing and moving the Needle of a Compass over the Let­ters of an Alphabet, written in the Circumference. But the certainty of this conclusion I leave to the experi­ment of such as please to make tryal of it; but to pur­sue our present design, There is not any one errour that breedeth a greater confusion in Magnetical Know­ledge, [Page 68] then the mistaking of the right understanding o [...] the true North and South ends, as well in Magnet themselves, as also in Magnetical Bodies; whosoeve [...] therefore will take a little pains to understand this well shall free himself from many intricate difficulties in th [...] argument, which otherwise must needs befall him wherein some having Limed themselves, have falle [...] into many errours, every one still begetting anothe [...] worse than himself. All those which Write befor [...] Doctor Gilbert did name that end of a Magnet whic [...] being placed in a Wooden Dish, and set to swi [...] in Water, would turn and settle it self (as we have said towards the North, the North end of the Magnet and the other the South end. And even so did they o [...] all Dyal Needles, Compasses and Magnetical Bodies. But Doctor Gilbert not for any new fangled innovation or self conceit, but upon good reason and firm demon­stration, avoucheth and proveth the contrary, and clearly sheweth, that the former vulgar assertion seri­ously defended, tendeth to the overthrow of all Magne­tical Phylosophy, by undermining of (as it were) the whole frame thereof; and yet in common speech the old Rule may hold Loquendum cum vulgo sentiendum cu [...] sapientib [...]. For it would seem a strange speech to a Marriner to tell him that his Flower de Luce were be­come the South point of the Compass, and yet this as­sertion is most true and certainly that it is the North end of every Magnet and Magnetical Body, that being placed in a thin Wooden Dish in Water, or any Magne­tical Needle upon his Pin, which seteth it self and point­eth to the South, and it is the South end which pointeth to the North. For proof hereof, take these words of North and South in whether of the two former sig­nifications you please, and make tryal thereof in any two Magnets, or any two Magnetical Bodies, so placed that they may freely turn according to their natures, and you shall always see a natural inclination of the [Page 69] contrary ends of the one to the contrary ends of the [...]ther, as of the South end of the one to the South end of the other, and reciprocated of the South of the one [...]o the North of the other; but the ends of the one in the other will always fly from those of the like denomi­nation, as the North end of the one from the North end of the other, and the South end of the one from the South end of the other.

For as much then as all Magnets themselve, and all Magnetical Bodies (being so placed as that they have their free motion) compose themselves Magnetically towards the Poles of the Earth, it must needs be that it is the true natural South end of the Magnet or Magneti­cal Needle, that pointeth towards the North of the Earth: And it is the true natural North end of the Magnet or Magnetical Needle that ponteth towards the South of the Earth, because the contrary ends do affect one another, and each of them do naturally fly, the one end of the one, from the end of the other, which is of like denomination unto it self: for Exam­ple, in this following Diagram of the whole Magnet, E A. is supposed to note the true natural North end thereof, and B. the South end.

[depiction of a magnet]

This Magnet being placed in a Wooden Dish, swim­ing in Water, freely must, and will, of Magnetical ne­cessity, with his true North end, A. settle himself so, that A. must point towards the South of the Earth; and the South end, B. towards the North of the Earth, because all Magnets and Magnetical Bodies do naturally affect, the one the contrary end of the other, and do avoid and fly from their ends of denomination.

Now for a further consideration of these properties, suppose that you will cut a piece of this Magnet Meri­dionally, viz. C D. manifest experience will shew, that C. which did in nature participate with A. in the intire Magnet. E. as being both of the true North part thereof, now being seperate will not abide it. In like manner D. of the other end of the little one, will not abide B. of the great one, with whom being intire in nature, he did participate, as being both the Souther­ly parts of thr entire Magnet, E, and that because the ends of like denomination of any two Magnets, do na­turrlly fly the one from the other.

But here you must be ware of an errour, which some have unhappily entangled themselves with all: who beholding of the aforementioned discord (as between A. [Page 71] and C.) wrongfully supposed, that if both these Mag­nets, the greater and the lesser, were conveniently placed to swim in the Water, the little one would not with his end C. point unto the South of the Earth, as it did in the Magnet, being entire; where it was a part of the true North end, but would point quite con­trary. There is no manner of any such alteration, but that both of the great one and the little one) and all alike, that are cut Meridionally one from the other) will absolutely point the very same way which the en­tire one did in each of them from the division, as you may guess by the two pricked Lines, paralell to the Meridian (or Axis) A. B. of E. the entire one, and the disagreeing of these ends is only within the Orbe of their Forces, both their general pispositions towards the Earth ever continuing one, and the disagreeing of their ends is only within the Orbe of their own forces, and they will (with very little help or none at all) con­form themselves in such sort, that the one end of them will joyn it self end long unto the other, at their con­trary ends, and point the same way both of them, the which they did at the first in the entire one. If you touch the end of any Magnetical Needle upon A, being the true North end of the Magnet, the end of the Nee­dle will become a true South end, and will point unto the North of the Horizon: if you touch it upon B, that will become a true North end, and will point unto the South of the Horizon. And the like will it do if you touch it upon C, as when you touch upon A: and upon D, as when you touch it upon B, although in both these not so strongly; so that Doctor Gilberts assertion doth not gain-say the Mariners opinion, that his Flower de Luce should not still remain the North point of his Compass, only he sheweth which end of the Magnet it is, which doth give him that Virtue; namely, that it is the true North end; so that if you hold the true North end of the Magnet [Page 72] near unto the Flower de Luce, it will come unto him; if you take away the Magnet, it will come unto the North of the Horizon. If you will divide a Magnet not Meridionally as in the former Example, but

[depiction of a magnet]

aequinoctial, as in this by the picked Line, C. D. A. being still the true North end, and B. the true South end, and A. B. being the Meridian Line, or Axis of the stone: if you set these divided several pieces assunder, that they may swim within the Orbe of their forces, they will affect to joyn themselves in the very place where they were divided, as also in the ends, A. unto B. by the former reason of contrary denomination. And if you place them a swiming with­out the Orbe of their Forces, A. and B. will still yet retain their former natures; and even so will it fall out, if you make your division in any other place of the Mag­net, towards either end paralell unto the Equinoctial of the Magnet.

The stone being brought to his perfect form, you must have a mould made of Iron, of the same propor­tion in every respect, and equal in all his dimensions, then setting your stone aside, let your Work-man frame and fassion his caps, and sit them upon his mould as if it were the stone; thus shall you be sure to preserve your Magnets from many dangers, very incident to rude handling; and having so done you may set them on the stone it self, amending any small faults without indan­gering the stone, either with bruisings or knocks; for the thickness and largness of the caps, there can be no general rule prescribed, but it must be left to the tryal and ingenious discretion and dexterity of the Work­man; as also for the handsome fastening either by Soa­dering [Page 73] or Reveting of them with Latin plates to the caps, to keep them in their places fast and firm and steady, according as you see in the Ticture of a stone armed with single caps.

[depiction of a magnet]

The double cap [...] are [...] two square or round knobs, prominent and [...] out of the single caps (as near as may be) at right angles [...] the Axis of the stone, agreeable to [...] form, which as fashi­oned by a very skilful [...] man of Winches [...]er, one

[depiction of a magnet]

that for all manner of fashioning, cutting, soadering, [...]peecing, and capping of Load stones, was the most equisite that I have known. I find that the use of the double capping is chiefly for admiration, in taking up a greater quantity, more by the one half than the two [Page 74] several ends could do each by it self▪ as if each end will take up half a pound, being capped in this manner, that each prominent end may lay hold upon the Iron fitted in this manner, it ought to take up a pound and a half and more: the reason whereof is this, because the Magnet in touching any one end of a fitting piece of Iron or Steel, doth [...] [...]se the virtue of that end which toucheth the [...] [...]to [...] [...]ched end, but also the [...] [...]r [...]ue to the other [...]

[depiction of a magnet]

Now therefore in this position, both ends of the Magnet being applyed unto the two ends of the Iron, these two contrary forces strive in this piece of Iron, [Page 75] the North to repell the South, and the South the North so that each force is driven nearer his own end, and be­cometh there so much the stronger then otherwise it would be. For proof whereof, take a little narrow square piece of Iron, of the length of the capped stone, and joyn it in the midst with Copper after this man­ner.

[depiction of a magnets]

A. i [...] supposed to be a [...]ng square, on a square like piece of Iron, in length fitting the two double caps of a Load-stone.

B. a long square piece, the ends Iron, the middle Copper, and D. least of all.

If you apply the Load-stone unto A, he will hold A. very strongly; but if you put any of the other three pieces under A, that it may touch any of them, he will not by any means lift it up. If you apply the Load-stone unto B, he will take it up very weakly, and C. somewhat more strongly, but D. strongest of all these three, yet not comparable to the strength wherewith he taketh up A. Aagain, although the Load-stone take up B. but weakly, yet if you place B. upon A, he will take them up both very strongly; yea more, place B. upon C, the two upon D, all three upon A, apply the Load-stone upon B, being the uppermost, and he will lift them all up very easily.

The cause thereof is, when a Load-stone with his double cap is placed upon A, the force of both ends striving in that piece of Iron paralellwise unto the Axis of the stone, the North and South forces are driven more closely unto their proper ends. But B. (because of the immediate Copper) there cannot be no such close dri­ving of his forces unto their proper ends, as was in A: and therefore the Load-stone lifteth up B. but only as if his two ends were two little loose pieces of Iron, hang­ing in the Air, and the intermediate Copper a burthen upon them. But by placing B. upon A, A. in the man­ner (as it were) of a Bridge, joyneth the two ends to­gether in their former combats, and the two ends of B. forasmuch as they are, but (as it were) two loose pie­ces of Iron hanging in the Air, the two forces of the Load-stone North and South, distinctly and severally pass thorough them downwards into A, which i [...] could not do if it had been one intire piece of Iron: and so all those four pieces, being placed one upon another, so that A. be undermost, whether directly or side-ways, the Load-stone will easily lift them all up, and not otherwise.

When a Load-stone lifteth up Iron at one end only, the virtue of a stone is infused into the whole body downward of that Iron, if it be not very long.

But when by means of the double caps, both ends do lift Iron joyntly together, he infuseth very small force downwards into the body of the Iron that it lifteth up: for the forces of both ends are so striving in the Collate­ral Line of the Iron, paralell to the Axis of the stone, that whereas a good Magnet lifting up at one end, will entend his virtue downwards twelve or fourteen Inches, in applying both ends unto the Iron, by the means of the double caps, he will not extend his force downwards the distance of one Inch, nor with any strength the distance of half an Inch, as in this former Example.

If a Magnet will lift at one end a pound of Iron, fasten you half an ounce of Iron unto four ounces of Wood, or any other substance saving Iron, and he will never take it up, because his virtue can only pierce that half ounce, and hath no power to enter the other substance; and that small portion of virtue, contained in the half ounce, cannot hold up the other strange substance. But this very same Magnet, by the means of double caps, laying hold of a piece of Iron fitted for that purpose, and of the fashion, being but half an ounce, may very well and readily take up three pounds of any

[base for magnets]

other substance whatsoever that is fastned unto it, be­cause that the whole force of the stone being imployed in the strife of the contrary ends, in the Iron paralell­wise, unto the Axis of the stone, each end apprehend­eth and lifteth up this piece of Iron and a great porti­on of any other substance that is fastened to it, and his whole force being imployed herein, all his former vigour, upward, downward, end-long, is (as it were) fettered and imprisoned, that untill you loose him of [Page 78] these fetters, he is not able at one end to take up one quarter of that which he did before.

Pliny in his natural History writeth, that Dinocrates that Famous Architect Builder of Alexandria, at Ptolo­mies command began to vault a Temple with Magnets, that there might seem to hang in the Air the Image of his Sister Arsinoe, made of Iron for that purpose: but both Dinocrates and Ptolomie dying in the mean space, that enterprise ceased. Neither indeed (if the both had lived) could it ever have come to pass by that means, by reason of two impossibilities: the one is, that by the force of the Load-stones, nothing can so hang in the Air, but that it either must touch the stone it self, or some other intermediate substance between it and the stone, that bareth it from coming to the stone it self. For Example, lay two or three Needles upon a smooth Table, put a Silver or Pewter Plate upon them, and upon that Plate a Load-stone, then lift up the Plate aloft with the Load-stone lying still upon it, and you shall see the Needles hanging indeed in the Air end­long, and if you move the stone about the Plate, fol­lowing still underneath, but evermore touching the Plate, which is the intermediate body, which keepeth them from coming to touch the stone, which otherwise by their natural inclination very speedily they would do. But as for the Image of Arsinoe, how had it been possible for it to have toucht at once, mediately or im­mediately, so great a number of Load-stones, whereof the pretended Vault must needs have consisted? the other is, that such a multitude of Magnets would no­thing but confound the one the others forces, so that one of them alone being solitary and severed from his company, might shew more force than all the insociable society could do each one hindering the efficacie of the other. Much like a Team of many Horses, where every one drawing his several way, might soon with disordered stretching tire himself and his fellows, but [Page 79] never move the Load one jote from the place. Inso­much as one (and possibly the worst) would do more good alone, where he might orderly and freely use his own strength, then he and all the many of them could do, being joyned together in vicinitie of bodies, but extreamly distracted through contrarity of cours­es.

The only way to perform such a design (if it were worth [...]he doing) would be to prepare one mighty great Load-stone of excellent goodness, which having his due proportion, after an extended Ovall form, should be fitted with double caps, and so placed in the Roof of a Building, that his Axis be paralell to the Horizon: in this manner (out of all doubt) a fair large Image might be held up very strongly by such a Magnet, let the stuff or substance thereof be whatsoever (how­beit the lighter the better) so that there be fastened to the uppermost part of the Image a small piece of Iron, according prepared and placed for the two promi­nent ends of the double caps of the stone, to lay hold thereon. But enough hereof.

In the caping of the Magnets, this general rule is to be observed, that they ought to be made of the finest and softest Iron, and not of Steel: the weight also, which the Magnet taketh up, should be of the like Iron, and not of Steel (as aforesaid) for although Steel at the least retaineth Ten times as much virtue as Iron, when it is once seperated from the stone, can doe; yet as long as there is any contignity between the stone and them, he holdeth Iron more stronger than Steel. Both which differences in either of them, by manifest experience are certain, and seem to proceed from nota­ble fastness and closeness in the Steel above the Iron; by means whereof the Magnetical Virtue doth longer and more forcibly continue in that than this: even as fire more mightily possesseth, and for a greater space abideth in stone, or any such firm or solid matter, then [Page 80] in Wood or Straw, or the like thin and hollow substance; and therefore those Compass makers, that make the Wiers of their Flies for Sailing Compasses of meer Iron, ought not by any means to be suffered; for to gain Two-pence in a Compas (and scarcely that) they in­tollerably abuse those that Travel by Sea, to their great danger and mischief.

To cement and piece Load-stones, for your Simmon doe thus: take the fine powder of Load-stone, half so much powder of New-brick made very small and sub­till, one part of Burgundy-pitch, half so much of Ros­sen, a small portion of unwrought Wax: mingle all these together very well upon a soft Fire, and make the whole Mass in little Roules. Now when you will ce­ment a stone, do thus: heat the two pieces of the stone very hot, and likewise the Simmon, then strake the places as you will soder, over with the Simmon ve­ry thinly, and joyn them somewhat hard together, let­ting them so stand untill they be cold, and you shall have it fully as strong, as if it were an intire stone it self, and not to be severed by great heat of Fire. In piecing of the Load-stones, there must be great care taken to the nature of the Load-stone in general, and also to those particular pieces which you would joyn together. The Load-stone in general (as it is shewed before) that his force issueth (as it were) from a cen­ter in the middle of the stone, to all the superficies whereof universally, but most strongly unto the Poles from the middle, one way the stone is all of a Northly nature, and all of it Southly the other way. For Ex­ample.

[depiction of a magnet]

A. is the North end, B. the South end of a stone. D. the middle. Suppose you cut off a piece at C, then shall D. be no more the middle, but it shall be a part of the North of the stone, and the middle is removed nearer B, and the virtue of the North and South doth not now divide it self at D. (as it did before) but D. is now become a part of the North end of the stone, which it was before in this Example following, let there be two Load-stones, the one longer than the other,

[depiction of a magnet]

the North of both noted with A, the South with B. the middle of the shorter, where the North and South properties doe part, is C. Suppose you will fasten these two with Simmon, the end B. of the shorter un­to the end A. of the longer, so shall these two become one Load-stone, and not one C, which was the middle (where the North and South properties did part) in the little one, is now become a part in the North end in this conjoyned stone, but also even B. it self, which [Page 82]

[depiction of a magnet]

was in the short one the very South Pole, is now in this become part of the North portion, the middle of this (where South and North properties do part) being in E. and these two Magnets which had each of them two points, the one North and the other South, being joyned together, have but only two points in all, the one North and the other South. Moreover if you have two Load-stones (for example) of like goodness, about four Inches a piece in length, having their North and South points duly at their ends, if you cut off at either of their ends half an Inch, and conjoyn them with the contrary of the great ones, they will present­ly have contrary properties to that which they had be­fore; so that a Needle touched before that would turn North, being now toucht in the self same place will turn South, shewing that the virtue of the two ends doth always proceed and extend it self from the body of the whole Load-stone, and from the whole, sheweth it self most forcibly (as aforesaid) in the ends; and either of the Load-stones will be in his perfect goodness, as at the first. If you think good to set two Load-stones together in such a manner, that you will have the Augmentation only in thickness and not in length, then do thus: if they be both of one length, grind them so that they may joyn close the broad-side of the one, agreeable with the broad-side of the other, having North upon North, and South upon South, as in this Example.

[depiction of a magnet]

A. must be joyned upon A, [...]. upon B: but if you joyn the two so, that an A. [...]eth upon B. you may spoyl the N [...] [...]gnet, by [...]founding of his forces. Notwithsta [...] [...]f you [...] to joyn them in length only, not in thic [...] [...] indeed must you combine B. and A, and not A. and A, nor B. and B, least here also you incur the former inconveniencies of con­fusion of forces. To take another example: suppose a Magnet to be long and somewhat round, smaller at one end than at the other, the smaller end to be the North signed with A, the other South signed with B; let the Magnet be divided long-ways into two equal parts, thorow both the Poles A. and B, and let one of these halfs be placed upon a piece of Glass or a smooth [Page 84]

[depiction of a magnet]

Table; certain it is, that if you do offer to touch A. of this, with A. of the other, this A. will turn away from that, which (the stone being entire) it did joyn with before: or if you offer B. unto B. it will do the like. And no marvel, for in the case of touching A. with A, or B. with B. what else in effect do you, but intend to joyn the two halfs at length, and that at like ends? a thing directly repugnant to the principles of Magneti­cal Phylosophy. But let me admonish you, to put the rounder side of the stone downwards, next unto the Glass, that it may turn the quicker: yet if the stone be excellent it will do the same also upon the flat side. Moreover if you place these two halfs, the one upon the other precisely as they were at the first, they will agree very well, because they are as one and the self same Magnet. But if you place them the one swarning from [Page 85] the other at either end, then will A. of the one, turn [...]out to B. of the other; because they are now as two [...]everal and diverse Magnets. For the better conceiving [...]ereof, you are to remember, that every part of a Load-stone (being a half or any other) being once di­ [...]ided from the whole, is (as Schoolmen call it) totum [...]ntegralo, a whole Load-stone by it self, utterly diverse [...]nd estranged from that whole, whose part before it was, and therefore retaineth distinctly in it self, all the properties of a Load-stone, though not so strongly as the whole had, when as it was joyned thereunto.

In Load-stones there is a part truly said to be divided from the whole, when the points of that part or ends, or Poles, and so, by necessary consequence, the Axis and Aequator, in which the universal frame of Magneti­cal power consisteth, have a position diverse from the Poles or points of the World. For this cause, in the last example the one half A, B. being supposed to swarve from the other half B, A. at either end, must needs presently be divided from it, and now cannot be pars integri, but is of necessity totum integrali, a several and absolute Magnet of it self, and so by an essential pro­perty common to all Magnets, coveteth with his point A. the contrary B. of that which is under it. Where­fore like as exact agreement is between two Mathema­tical Figures, when being applyed together, the ex­treams of the one, do precisely fall upon the extreams of the other, each upon his correspondent extream, and it is made one therewith: even such is the perfect com­position or setting together the parts of a Magnetical Body, and namely of those two equal parts before ex­emplifyed, you must so joyn one upon another, that the two extreams or ends be always of the same nature Northly or Southly, in both parts; and that by the due application of the parts, the two Northly ends being united and become one, as also the two Southly after the same manner. But if these parts, being of equal [Page 86] length, be joyned longwise, the North of the one unto the South of the other; those two ends that were (be­ing now no ends, but the just middle of one Magnet) have lost their properties which they had when they were ends. For those properties, by this Union are abolished, but their other ends still reserve their for­mer and stronger virtues of North and South; and so according to Magnetical nature, one Magnet shall have but two Poles, the North and the South. Again, if you will piece two Load-stones together in thickness, the one of them being longer than the other; then you must either cut the longer that it may be fit in length unto the shorter, or else piece the shorter in such a manner as is before described, that he be equal in length to the longer, and whatsoever disorderly parts perhaps shall be in any of them, they may, even after they are cemented, very well be ground away. Also if there be holes or dents, with little pieces of Load-stones ce­mented (their points being observed) they may be fil­led up, without any manner of damage or deformity, no more then if there had not been any such at all. And after this Method you may (with labour and industry) of many Magnets, make one huge, and of what form you please. And although the Magnets of this body, Magnetically compact (as I have here shewed) were never so many in number, yet the whole will have but two principal points, the one the North, the other the South, even as if it were one natural Load-stone, and all of them will contribute their forces unto these two points; so that if there were twenty of them, being after this order cemented together into one body, the whole would have but two points, but if you will place them in a Vault, according to a Masons Trade, they will have 40 points, twenty North, and as many South, and will work the like effect in drawing Iron, as (to use the former gross similitude) if a Teeme of Horses were set in their Traces contrary the one to the other, [Page 87] the one to pull one way and the other anorher. As for the Turks Mahomet, hanging in the Air with his Iron Chest, it is a most gross untruth, and utterly impossible it is for any thing to hang so in the Air by any Magneti­cal power, but that either it must touch the stone it self, or else (as we have said) some intermediate ho­by, that hindereth it from coming to the stone, or else some stay below to keep it from ascending, as some small Wyer that can scarcely be seen or perceived.

The manner to know the one Pole from the other, which of the two points aforesaid may answer to the Pole Artike or the North Pole, is found in this manner

[depiction of a vessel]

[Page 88] a large Vessel is to be filled with Water, in the which cause the stone Magnes to be laid upon a light Board, not deep, much like the covering of a Box, so never­theless that the two points found in the stone may lye equally elevate in the said Box; and so by virtue of the stone, the Box shall be moved to the place where the Meridional Pole shall exceed towards the South, and the other opposite to the North and shall rest there, and thus shall it be easie to discern, which of the Points answereth to the Pole Articke, and to the Pole Antar­tike, so that any means first the places of Heaven be known.

Concerning the Magnetical force of the whole body of the Earth, I have selected these experiments to prove it.

Take any piece of solid Earth that hath some tough­ness [...]o hold together, and will abide the fire, as any sort of Clay or Brick (which sometimes was Clay) fashion it in such manner that it be uniformly extended towards both ends (the Orall or Long Figure is fittest for our purpose) put it into a Fire of Charcoales, in­creasing the heat by little and little, and at the length with often blowing, make it as throughly red hot as you can: let it remain so for the space of half an hour or more, that thereby all the superfluous moisture may be consumed, and adverse qualities seperated from it, then take it forth, and let it coole it self, being first set North and South with either end answerable to the variation of the place, not paralell to the Horizon, but elevated answerable to the Latitude as near as you can. Certain it is that this piece of Earth thus ordered, will sensibly shew you that it hath true Magnetical Virtue. But here before I proceed any farther, I must deliver unto you a necessary observation: There are two sorts of Attractions (as they are commonly called) the one Magnetical, the other Electrical. The Magnetical hath always a special respect to the North and South [Page 89] points (as we have often said) of the Magnet or Mag­netical Body. The Electrical Body hath no manner of respect to any one point of the Electrical Body, more than another: and by this difference these two kinds of Attractions are easily discerned: as also by this look what end of the Magnetical Needle the one end of the Magnet doth draw, the other will chase away; but the Electrical Body draweth alike at all ends. And Third­ly after this manner, lap this Electrical Body in a Pa­per and it will draw nothing to it at all, but interpositi­on of Brass or a stone Wall within the Orbe of the Mag­nets virtue, doth nothing weaken the same, or hinder his effect towards his peculiar object. Notwithstand­ing (to speak properly) Attraction appertaineth only to Electrical Bodies, because the whole Attractive vir­tue is only in the Electrical Body it self, and nothing as in the thing that is attracted. The Attraction (com­monly so called) of the Load-stone is rightly to be termed, Concursion, Confluence, or Coition, because it is the running or vigorous meeting together of two Magnetical Bodies, having a mutual Inclination the one with the other, or by any other name, bearing the like sense. For the true knowledge thereof, being but lately as a stranger arrived amongst us, for common use.

( Quem penes arbitrium est, et jus et Norma Loquendi, hath as yet scant suited it, with a convenient Name to express this property; so that Magnetical conclusion is never but between two Bodies, such as both of them are Magnetical; as of one Load-stone with another, or of a Load-stone with Iron or Steel, or Iron Oare if it be prepared, or between two pieces of Iron or Steel thac are Revived with a Load-stone; for indeed the Load-stone can but revive and multiply Magnetical force in a Body that naturally hath it in some measure before: but cannot infuse it into any thing, that before is utterly void of it, as of Mettalls in Iron and Steel, and not in Gold, Silver, Brass, &c.

Electrum in this Argument is named that which is either Amber in substance, or at least of the quality and that Amber being [...]ubed, hath an attraction to take up Moats, Feathers, Straws, and other small things the which property is also in [...]eate, Brimstone, Hard-wax (if it be smooth) and in infinite other things, both natural and compound; all which because of that quali­ty in this Argument are termed Electrical Bodies, and their taking up of things is called Electrical Attraction, having only a slender resemblance, [...]ut no truth of the Magnetical Quality.

But that above mentioned piece of Earth, prepared in such a manner as is before prescribed, will by Magneti­cal Concursion shew it self to be a true Magnetical Bo­dy. For the one end of the Magnetical Needle will covet towards the one of the prepared Mass, and flye from the other. And contrarywise also, though it will do both but weakly, not with power comparable to a natural Load-stone, yet as truly as that. That end which cooled towards the South, will draw the true North end of the Needle, and that end which cooled towards the North will draw the true South end of the Needle. If so be that as yet you will have another in fallible Argument, do thus; mark what end draweth the North end of the Needle, afterwards put the new made Magnet into the fire again, and when it hath been glowing for the space of half a quarter of an hour, take it out and cool it, being placed with that marked towards the North, most assuredly that end now will draw the South end of the Needle, and the North end of the Needle will shun it, which before approached unto it, the reason hereof is, because the first having abolished all the former. Magnetical quality of that Mass wherewith it was in a contrary position affected in the former cooling, now leaving it apt and fit to receive any new Impression: which presently it taketh again either regularly, if in the cooling it be placed with the [Page 91] ends to the North and South, or (if it be placed other­wise) confusedly, by the Magnetical force and virtue of the whole body of the Earth by regular and confused, this is the meaning. Take any lump of Earth, or any Brick-bat ordered in this manner, certain it is that this [...]ump of Earth or Brick-bat hath some Magnetical vir­tue therein, yet so feeble and weak, that our sence can­not discern it, because of the unfitness of the form, and the confused dispersion of that weak force, through the whole body thereof. Then suppose you will bring ei­ther of these into an extended Ovall form, which is apt (as before I have said) for any body Magnetical to shew his force, yet this will help it nothing at all of it self, as you may easily make experience in every Load-stone. For if you take a Load-stone of a confused form, it is not enough to bring it into a convenient Ovall, except with diligence you reserve the points of the North and South in the two ends thereof, for if you leave the points in the sides, you spoile it with this Ovall form. For the stone will not lightly be of one quarter of the force, as it was before; for the Ovall form giveth it no virtue, but it is the fittest for it to shew the utter­most of that strength, which of it self it had before, if you observe the due points, and not otherwise. But in this Earth and Brick it is not possible to find the due points in such a manner as you may in a Load-stone, be­cause of the weakness of the Magnetical force therein contained. And therefore you cannot bring that into a regular Ovall form, and by the Fire take away the con­fused Magnetical force, and all other perverse qualities thereof, that being by nature a Magnetical body in his cooling before specified, receiving presently by that un­resistable power of the Earth, his Magnetical virtue, according unto that form, and will regularly have his due points precisely in the ends, without any confusion. Johannes Babtista Porta writes, that he did make tryal of the way that Paracelsus hath set down for to increase [Page 92] the virtue of a Magnet; Namely, to heat him red hot in the Fire, and to quench him in the Oyl of Crocus Martis: and Babtista Porta saith, that he found it a de­testable falsehood. But saith he, he is so far from in­creasing his virtue, as that (being once red hot) he looseth all his own, past all recovery. But for all this that he saith, I doubt whether Paracelsus be justly re­proved or not, for by my own experience I know that the heating of a Load-stone untill it be red hot, doth weaken a Load-stone, but taketh not away all its force; and in my tryal hereof, I found a very manifest proof of the Magnetisme of the Earth, which I thought necessa­ry to insert in this place. I have made this tryal of fragments of Magnets in divers kinds, and likewise of divers kinds of Iron Mines which are next in degree to the Magnets; Namely, after this manner, Heat him in the Fire by little and little (for fear of breaking) un­till he be red hot, then take him out and let him cool, then mark (with Chalk or what you please) those parts that respect the North and South, and you shall find those markt places, the North and the South Poles of the Magnet. Put him into the fire again, untill he be red hot, and cool him contrarily, and you shall have the contrary effect. Therefore if Babtsta Porta did make his tryal with a Load-stone very long in form, and chanced (for Doctor Gilberts mistery of the Magnetisme was not then revealed) for to cool him in his Oyl of Crocus Martis with his ends East and West, the Axis of the stone being then overthwart in the middle, it were no marvel, though it found no force in the ends. And I doe not think it impossible, but that Paracelsus way may doe some good rightly used. Doctor Gilbert writ­eth, that some Iron Mine will affect a Magnetical Nee­dle, as it is of it self, being unprepared by fire: but as yet I never could find any such, but this I have often tryed, that it being of no manner of Magnetical virtue of it self, no more then a Flint stone unprepared by [Page 93] fire, being made red hot and cooled, is presently im­pregnated with very apparent Magnetical virtue, ac­cording to the scituation that he is cooled in, and al­though you heat and cool him often, and divers ways, he will still keep his virtues, according to the situation of his cooling. And some Iron Mines I have found, which being but in this sort prepared, have had as strong force as some natural Magnets have had; it is the goodness of the Load-stone joyned with a fit form that will shew great force: For as a very good form with a base substance can doe but very little, so the sub­stance of the Load-stone be it never so excellent, except it have some convenient form, is not availeable. For example, an excellent Load-stone of a pound weight and of a good fashion, being used artificially, may take up four pounds of Iron; beat it into small powder, and it shall be of no force to take up one ounce of Iron; yea I am very well assured, that half an ounce of a Load-stone of good fashion, an [...] of like virtue, will take up more then a pound will doe being beaten in powder. Whence (to add to this by the way) it ap­peareth manifestly, that it is a great errour of those Physitians and Chirurgeons, which to remedy Ruptures, doe prescribe unto their Patients to take the powder of Load-stone inwardly, and the small filling of Iron in­wardly: suppose here that the Magnetical drawing should do great wonders, whereas they consider not that the stone being dissolved into powder, every little particle of the dust hath two points contrary, the one drawing to, the other repelling and putting from; and so being thus confounded by a contrary working, doth much more harm then good with his Magnetical quali­ty. As for the astringent and drying property of the Load-stone, I leave them to the diligent observation of those that are skilful in Physick: but to return to our purpose, and to alledge this also, besides the manifest proof, if the Earth were not by Nature a Magnetical [Page 94] body, the aforesaid mentioned piece of Earth were not by Nature a Magnetical body, the afore mentioned piece of Earth could not receive from a Load-stone any Magnetical power: but most certain it is, and by many undoubted experiments confired, that it will evidently receive a Magnetical power from a Load-stone: there­fore it is manifest that the Earth is by nature a Magne­tical power: but most certain it is, and by many un­doubted experiments confirmed, that it will evidently receive Magnetical power from a Load-stone there­fore it is manifest that the Earth is by nature a Magneti­cal body. Farthermore, as amongst all the Mettalls, Iron doth imcomparably more resemble the Earth in substance then any other doth; it likewise doth partici­pate more with the Earth in quality, and principally in the Magnetical peculiar property hereof, as notorious experience declareth; yea every piece of Iron Oare, being naturally (as Doctor Gilbert sheweth) a Magnet, although of feeble force, and all Magnets being a kind of an Iron Oare, is the very cause, that only Iron or Steel, and no other Mettall is capable of that virtue, Namely, to have that revived and multiplyed by the vicinity of a Magnet, which at the first in some mea­sure was originally in it self, as it is aforesaid; it is also well known, that the Magnet is a stone most commonly of invincible hardness, nothing inferiour to any Iron or Steel of the excellentest sort; notwithstanding some­times we see of them that are nothing, but a dry lump of Earth, and yet of those also some are stronger in vir­tue, than divers of the hard stones are: which Earthly Magnets, if a man assay to bring them into fashion by grinding on a Grinding-stone (according to the common use) they will consume into very Mud in the Water. Now (to draw towards an end of this matter) albeit that the Magnetical virtue be most eminent in the Magnet, as in the precise and perfect subject thereof: yet it is the self same quality, in a meaner degree, evidently to be [Page 95] perceived in every piece of Earth, prepared and order­ed (as is aforesaid) yea, although it be not cooled with his ends North and South, that it may take its Magne­tical force from the virtue of the Earth, for if you cool it with his ends but East and West, and set two Load-stones in the cooling, the one at one end and the other at the other end, it will receive a sensible and apparant Magnetical Virtue, according to those points of the Load-stone that were applyed unto it; namely, that end which was next to the South point of the Load-stone will have a North property, and that end that was next the North point, will have a South property; yea, if you set the North part of two Load-stones to each end, both ends of this new made Magnets will have a South property; and contrariwise if you apply the South ends of two Magnets, both his ends will have a North property; and those properties before mentioned will shew themselves Magnetical, because whether end of this new Magnet draweth any one end of a Magnetical Needle, the same will cause away the other: which is proper only to Magnets and Magnetical Bodies. After the like sort, only by application of two strong Load-stones by the force of twenty four hours you may alter the points of any base Load-stone, which you would, and make them both North and South as you please: so that the Load-stone that you would alter be but base in quality, and not great in substance, and that the other be of a reasonable bigness and good strength. And this virtue by such an application of two Load-stones I have often found effectual in new Brick lately taken from the Kill without any farther putting into the fire at all, and although it be against the nature of the Load-stone to have both his ends naturally of one virtue, that is to say both of them of a North property, or both of them of a South property: yet here is to be understood, that it is the forcible violence of the strong ones, being applyed joyntly to each end of the weak, that do chase the con­trary [Page 96] property of the weak one into the middle thereof; and therefore if you divide this weak one in the mid­dle, then both those ends which being joyned together in the middle (where no Load-stone can shew any vir­tue) being now disjoynted and become both ends, will presently shew a contrary property (according to the Magnetical Nature) unto the other two ends.

We shall discourse next of continual motion. From the begining of the World all natural Phylosophers and Mathematicians, with great expence and labour, have attempted to find out a continual motion or moving, yet unto this day have few or none attained to the due end of their desire, not knowing the virtue of this stone,

[depiction of a compass]

[Page 97] for there cannot be a continual motion found by any other means, then by the Magnet, in this manner, make a hollow case of Silver after the fashion of a con­cave Glass, outwardly laboured with the curious Art of Graving, not only for Ornament, but also for lightness, for the lighter that it is, so much the more easier it shall be moved, neither must it be so pierced through, that such as are ignorant of the hidden Secret may easi­ly perceive it.

The form of the stone is Represented in this follow­ing Figure.

I must have on the inner side certain little Nailes and Denticles and small Teeth of Iron of one equal weight, to be fastened on the Border or Magnet, so that the one be no farther distant from the other, then is the thick­ness of a Bean. The said Wheel also must be in all parts of equal weight, then fasten the Axletree in the middle, upon the which the Wheel may turn, the Axle­tree remaining altogether immoveable. To the which Axletree again shall be joyned a Pin of Silver fastened to the same, and placed between the two cases in the highest part, whereon place the Load-stone. Being thus prepared, let it be first brought to a round form, then (as is said) let the Poles be found: then the Poles untouched, the two contrary sides being between the two Poles, must be fyled and polished, and the stone brought in a manner to the form of an Egg, and some­what narrower on those two sides, least the lower part thereof should possess the inferiour place, that it may touch the Walls of the case like a little Wheel.

[setting up the the lode-stone at sea]

This done, place the stone upon the plain, as a stone is fastened in a ring, with such Art, that the North Pole may a little incline towards the Denticles, to the end, that the virtue thereof work not directly his impression, but with a certain inclination give his influence upon, the Denticles of the Iron. Every Denticle thereof shall come to the North Pole, and when by force of the [Page 100]

[the lode-stone at sea]

Wheel it shall somewhat pass that Pole, it shall come to the South, which shall drive it back again; whom then against the Pole Artick shall draw as appeareth. And that the Wheel may the sooner do his office within the cases, inclose therein a little Calculus (that is) a little round stone or pellet of Copper or Silver, of such quan­tity, that it may commodiously be received within any of the Denticles: then, when the Wheels shall be rais­ed, the pellet or round weight shall fall on the contrary part. And whereas the motion of the Wheel downwards [Page 101] to the lowest part, is perpetual, and the fall of the pel­let, opposite or contrary, ever received within any two of the Denticles, the motion shall be perpetual, because the weight of the wheel and pellet ever inclineth to the center of the Earth and lowest place. Therefore when it shall permit the Denticles for to rest about the stone, then shall it well serve to the purpose. The middle places within the Denticles ought so artificially to be made hollow, that they may aptly receive the falling pellet or plummet, as the Figure above declareth. Thus I have written as briefly as I could of the admira­ble and wonderful and incomperable virtues of the Load-stone.

The Sea-mans Director, as well in distress of Weather, as also at his leasure times of Recre­ation, how to make a right use of the Magnetical Needle, how to manage the Sayling Compass, and the rest of the Instruments of chiefest con­cernment in the Art of Navigation.

HAving already discoursed of the virtues of the Load-stone, as we are very unwilling (for to di­vide such dear friends, we next shall Treat of the Mag­netical Needle.

The variation of the Magnetical Needle, being apt­ly fitted and placed upon his pin, is nothing else, but the swarving of the pointing of the same in the Horizon, from the Meridian line there, the portion of the Hori­zon intercepted between the true Meridian line and this pointing, sheweth of what quantity the variation is, and giveth it his name, to wit, which way it lyeth, either Ea­sterly or Westerly, and it is observed by either end of the Needle as you please.

In times past men observed only by the North end of the Needle, because they understood not that the Load-stone hath a South virtue, as well as a North; and therefore did touch their Needles and Wyars of their Compasses always for the North only, leaving those ends of the Wyars bare, that they might be refreshed with a new touch at any time afterwards: but the other ends they covered, not knowing that they were also apt to receive as forcible a virtue from the Load-stone for the South, as the other for the North. For the right understanding of the variation, which is necessary dependants, we must use the means of two circles, the one of them I will call the Magnetical Almicanter, the other is already known by the name of the Magnetical Meridian.

This Magnetical Almicanter is a circle parallel unto the Horizon, whose center is the Vertical point, and is described by the distance between the Vertical point, and the nearer Pole of the Earth; the Magnetical respective pole, or (which is all one) the Pole of the Magnetical Meridian, is a point in the Magnetical Almicanter, as the variation of that place containeth in the Horizon, but always it is the contrary part of the true Meridian; that is, if the variation of the South part of the Needle be Easterly, the respective Pole is Westerly: but if you observe with the North end of the Needle, the re­spective Pole and the variation are both one way in all our Northern Climates. If the variation of the South point of the Needle be Westerly, then is the respective pole so many degrees in the said Almicanter Easterly, and therefore always of the same height with the true Pole above the Horizon. For since all great circles of the Globe do necessarily cut one another in two points into two equal parts: these two therefore must even do so in the Zenith and Nadir, by the very definition; so that these two points (the Zenith and Nadir) are al­ways alike common to them both, as well unto the true, as unto the Magnetical Meridian.

Where-hence it followeth necessarily, that always the one half of the Magnetical Meridian is on the East side, and the other on the West side of the true Meridi­an, the common Zenith or Nadir evermore keeping their equal distances from the Poles of the one of them, as they do from the other. For Example, suppose the common Zenith to be in the Aequator, you Sayling East or West, as long as there is no variation, there is no Magnetical Meridian, there are no Megnetical Poles, but those of the World. But as soon as Sayling still under the line, you do find a variation, it is the Magnetical Meridian, that by his swarving from the true Meridian of the World, in the Horizon sheweth the quantity of the variation, and giveth it also the denomination of Easterly or Westerly, and his Axis is the line of varia­tion. But suppose the common Zenith, to be in any parallel, between the Equatour and the Pole, then is it not the Axis, but some other Diameter of the Magne­tical Meridian, which sheweth the variation of the Ho­rizon; and the Magnetical Meridian ever more cutteth just so many degrees of the Magnetical Almicanter on the one side of the true Meridian, as the same Magnetical Pole is distant from the same Almicanter, on the other side of the true M [...]ridian from the Pole of the World. And this is to be u [...]erstood in correspondent manner, as well of the South Hemisph [...]re, as of the North.

The respective Magnetical M ridian (where any va­riation is) is a circle that pa [...]eth by the Vertical point of the Nadir, and both the respective Poles, crossing the Horizon at right Angles in the points of variation, of which circle the line of Variation is a Diameter, but where there is no variation the true and Magnetical Meridian [...] are both one and the self same, and so in the like manner are there Diameters. Those circles and Poles are termed respective, because that in every place where any variation is, the Magnetical Needle doth respect them, as well in the pro [...]erty of direction, as of [Page 104] that of declination or inclination. For thus also very well it may be termed, by the property of directi­on, and I do mean with Doctor Gilbert, the Ho­rizontical motion of the Magnetical Needle, by the de­clination or inclination. I mean the descending (and as it were) the sinking motion of the Needle under the Horizon, in his proper Azimuth or Magnetical Meridian; but if there be no variation, the Needle always point­eth to the true Meridian of the Earth, and towards the Poles thereof, in both those properties. The true Poles of the Earth, which are those two points equally distant from each part of the Equinoctial of the Earth, are always the self same. The respective Poles alter with every Horizon, where there is any variation, but never out of the forenamed Almicanter of that place. The cause of the differences of the respective Poles and Meridians from the true Poles and Meridians, and so of all Varia­tions, are only two; the chief and most general is the vastness of the Ocean Sea, by moistness whereof the Magnetical collateral force of so much Earth as it cover­eth, is much hindered and dulled. And by what means the next great continent hath more power over the cor­respondent end of the Magnetical Needle, then other­wise it would have if all were alike, one entire conti­nent; and therefore causeth the directive property of the Needle somewhat to swarve towards that way, which is that which we call variation; but yet the vast­ness of the Ocean doth not hinder the declination of the Magnetical Needle, because the hanging consisteth but in length and bredth, and not in the depth. For al­though in comparison of a Pond or River, the Sea is said to be of a wonderful depth, yet if this depth be compared with a Semidiameter of the Earth, it beareth a very exceeding small proportion, nothing at all to hin­der the mighty magnetical declinatory force of the whole Earth; for the greatest depth that ever any man of skill esteemed it at, was not above two English [...]iles, [Page 105] at the uttermost, when as daily experience maketh it manifest, that a great continent will shew his Magne­tical collateral force, by causing a variation, above 200 miles off from the place, and therefore Doctor Gilberts fear in that point I take to be needless, supposing a variation of declination. The second cause of variation is any great mountainous Region, Easterly or Westerly from you, it will cause the Needle sometimes to swarve that way. But variations of this kind are but of small co [...]tinuance, and in Sailing subject to suddain alterati­on; yea many times quite contrary from Westerly to Easterly, and afterwards back again within short space, as our first Famous Pilot Stephen Burrough found by his experience in his discovery of the Scythian Sea Coast, between the North Cape of Finmarke and Vaygates; the reason whereof ought heedfully to be regarded, which is that the Magnetical force of the whole Earth, doth (as in all Magnets) shew it self most strongly in the two poles thereof, and in the places which are under them: but always it must be remembred that all the force they have must issue out of the whole Terrestial body, as it doth likewise in all Magnets out of the body of the Magnet: and therefore in any part of the super­ficies of the whole Terrestial body. It is impossible that any variation be above 90 degrees, because the virtue of the whole can never be overswayed by the imperfection of a part, and especially of so small a part is any one portion of the Ocean is in his very superfi­cies, in respect of the body of the whole Earth: yea I am verily perswaded, that there never was nor never will be any Variation, by any good observation found to be so much as 90, neither any shew of so great vari­ation any where, except it be very near unto either of the poles, where there is small credit to be given to the observing of any variation: for the variation being (as before said) the difference of the pointing of the Mag­netical Needle in the Horizon, from the true Meridian, [Page 106] for as much as in places near the pole, there is no man­ner of certainty of either of these, it is not possible to find the variation if there be any. The reason where­of is this, no man may Travel in those Seas, but whilst the Sun abideth on that side of the Aequatour, whereby they have continual day, and by that means are seclud­ed from any help of the Stars; neither if they might be seen, would they bring any great help. For the diffe­rence of height in many hours is so small, that by a large Instrument a diligent observer with great pains will hardly find the Meridian Line, all the Meridians thereof coming so near one to another, and meeting in the Pole, and their Horizon being in a manner parallel to the Aequinoctial. As for the Horizontical Magnetical Nee­dle, to shew their pointing in the Horizon as they were wont to do, they coming into the Climate may say Fui­mus Troes. Their direction is as it were giddy and un­certain, and when their center cometh unto the pole it self, it is quite vanished away; for from thence all the points of the Horizon are only South, if it be at the South pole, and North from the South, and therefore in that place the Instrument of declination is far more sure then the Horizontical Compass. And as in the poles themselves there is no direction at all, so of necessity near unto them it must be a very confused direction. Those two places that are called the poles, have no strength of themselves (as aforesaid) but as it is con­tributed unto them of the whole. As in a Magnet, if you break off a piece of a contrary end, the end that is lest will be according to that proportion diminished in his strength, and the polar piece, and the polar piece that is broke off (be it never so little) will have two poles as well as the great, so that the two parts will have four poles, two of them North, and two of them South. Put this little piece that was broken off in his place again, and then each piece will loose one of his poles at the very same instant, and the whole will have but two [Page 107] poles, the one North and the other South, as at the first. Again, if you cut off of one side a piece of the Load-stone, that is brought into a round of an Ovall form, having his poles marked in their due places at each end, presently both ends will be abridged of part of the force which they had, and the poles themselves will be removed unto the other side, from the places that were marked, and those marks will stand but for idle ciphers in comparison of that they were before. Again, take a Magnet of an old or an extended Ovall form: I do still exemplify in these, because they are of all others, as I have often admonished, for all Magnetical proof the most excellent forms, and set marks on the two poles, take a fine Needle, or any streight small Wyar, and set it on the Equinoctial (mean thereby the middle, between the two ends of the stone) then will it point directly towards each pole, if the stone be sound without any flaws, or any other gross substance (as may be) inter­mingled with it: and if you thrust this Needle towards either end, according to his own direction, he will trace you a circle right over both of these marked poles, which is the true Meridian of the stone. But if this stone hath on either of the sides any imperfection, when the Needle cometh to the edge or brink thereof, it will swarve somewhat towards the sounder side, and will point to neither of the true poles. And if a circle be drawn according to his pointing, as he standeth still in that place, this shall be a respective Meridian of that stone, proper unto that place, and the poles. The re­spective poles differing from the true Meridian of the stone and his poles. Now if you thrust the Needle farther towards the end, upon the brink of this imper­spection, it will not point (as before) but either fur­ther off, or nearer to the true poles, and will give his direction for a new respective M [...]ridian, and new re­spective poles, and in such manner infinitely, if you place the Needle in the middle of this imperfection, e­qually [Page 108] distant from the sound parts, then will it indeed point towards the end of the stone, and the consequence here­of is the main reason, and that towards the middest of the Ocean; and likewise of any great continent there is no variation. Thus may you especially in a round Load-stone (as in a lively example) see the true causes of all the variations that are in the whole World, reckoning as much space as the Ocean covereth, to be some imper­fection in the body of the whole, in respect of the Ho­rizontical motion of the Compass. For the evidence of the truth hereof, let a man examine generally the vari­ations of the most expert Navigators (although by rea­son of the diversities of the sets of their Compasses, and unfitness and unapt handling of their Instruments, they seldom times agree amongst themselves) observed in the Atlantick Ocean, from the Aequatour unto the parts of Norway, all along the East Coast, from the Meridi­an of the Azores, so as far North, as hereunto has been discovered, and he shall find the ordinary practice to testifie the truth hereof, as also after the same sort from the Aequatour Southward, unto the streights of Magel­lan, and all along the back side of America in the South Sea: on the East Coast on the Cape of Bona Speranza, and he shall perceive the like agreeement, but in Sailing from the cap of Bona Speranza, farther farther Eastward that sometimes they do find it other­wise, the cause is the different manner of the situation of the South, as yet undiscovered continent. And whereas in the middest of the Atlantick Ocean, about 30 Leagues West from the Azores, they find no variation at all, no mervail thereof; for it is about the middle distance between the two great Continents of America and Ours.

Wherefore the round Load-stone is significantly termed by Doctor Gilbert Terrella, that is, a little, or rather a very little Earth; for it representeth in a little small modell (as it were) the admirable proper­ties Magnetical of the huge Globe of the Earth; here­in also we may behold the reason why the Magnetical [Page 109] Needle varieth least in the Aequinoctial, and most to­wards the pole, and in the poles themselves giveth no direction at all: for proof hereof, take a Needle and place it on the Aequinoctial of the stone, there you shall see stand equally ballanced and very strongly, so that if you turn him from the direction, as soon as you let him go, he will presently again turn to it. The reason is, because each pole doth equally strengthen his corres­pondent end of the Needle. Move this Needle to­wards either of the poles, then doth the nearer pole strengthen his end of the Needle; but the farther (be­cause of the distance) cannot do the like unto his, but very weakly, and this Needle will not stand any more equally ballanced (as it did in the Aequinoctial) but that end next to the pole will couch down, and the other will rise up, for on the North side of the Aequatour, the true South end is predominant, and on the other the North end hath the Mastery. And that this is also in the Earth it self, all our late Travellers confirm unto us by their daily experience, and all the very Artizans and Needle-makers must needs be daily witnesses of it. As for Example, let any Workman in our Climate make a Needle for a Dyal, when he hath fitted it and placed it on the pin, that it may stand thereon equally ballanced and parallel to the Horizon, touch it with the Load-stone, then presently that which pointeth towards the North will hang down; yea (although you touch only with the South end) and will not stand as before, the touch equally ballanced and parallel to the Horizon: except that you cut or file somewhat from that end that hangeth down, or else add a piece of Wax or some other thing to the other end of the Needle to counter­pose it, and make it stand equidistant as it did at the first setting on: and this is a thing very certain, that is, the Northerly descent of the Needle, will be more or less in all places of Northerly Latitude: in the greater Latitude the more, and in the lesser Latitude the lesser. [Page 110] But if any Traveller carry this Needle beyond the Aequatour in the like Latitude Southerly, that end which is downwards in the Northerly, will rise Souther­ly, and the other sink down even as much: and the nearer you Travel towards either pole, the more that end which pointeth towards the pole will tend down­wards: this is most certain in every Dyal Needle, but a great deal more appeareth in a long one then in a short one; we cannot find that the property of directi­on by the Magnetical Needle hath been unlargly practi­ced (for Sailing) above 300 years. And as for the property of declination under the Horizon, thereby to shew the Latitude by the Instrument thereunto belong­ing, it is as yet a very new come Guest into the World, born and bred with us in England, and except it had been in exceeding few mens hands, yet much used, much less come unto his perfection. But this is not to be mar­vailed at because it is not above 60 years old; neither is it to be wondered at if any Critical Fellows do con­temn and deride it, forasmuch at either their want of knowledge, or of patience, will not give them leave truly to consider of it. But what Navigatour, or ra­ther Nugatour whatsoever contemneth it, shall be sure to repent if ever he comes to his right wits to consider what it is that he hath contemned. And although the Needles for direction and declination do differ much in their shapes, each from the other, yet the properties are both one and the same. For the Needles for di­rection do decline (as aforesaid) as far as the unfitness of their form and place will permit them: and the de­clining Needle will not work, but only in his Magneti­cal Meridian, which himself will find out, if you turn the Instrument about, untill the Needle shew his least declination under the Horizon, and there do play up and down, and stop in the end of the same place again. But if you would have a Needle fitted to shew both his properties, do thus, cause a Needle to be made about [Page 111] six Inches long, even and smooth, saving that he must be a little bigger in the middle, then instead of an Axis (which declinatory Needles have) let him have a small hole drilled precisely in the middest, and this hole be­ing very small, let it be somewhat wider outwards on each side then in the middest (which our Workmen call Sinkboared) where it must be left very sharp, even almost as the edge of a Knife: put through this hole a small Virginal Lattin Wyer, and fit the Needle so that it hang precisely even upon this Wyer, instead of an Axletree: then touch him with the Loadstone, and you shall presently see the end that should point towards the North, decline or bend down to his due point of decli­nation, if it be placed in the Magnetical Meridian, and set a little piece of Wax or any other thing upon the contrary part for a counterpoise in that the Needle may stand parallel with the Horizon, then if you stand at right angles with that Virginal Wyer, it is certainly in the Magnetical Meridian, so that hanging in this counterpose, if you turn about the Wyer untill the Nee­dle do make right Angles with it, then doth the Needle by his directive virtue point unto the Magnetical Meri­dian Line. Take off the counterpoise, then it sheweth the declination; so that one and the self same Needle in the same place only, by taking off, and putting on a little piece of Wax, sheweth plainly both those proper­ties of directions and declinations, and in like manner every inclinatory Needle will do, if the points of his Axis be sharp, and held in his box parallel to the Hori­zon, he will shew both those properties of direction and declination: a fine piece of Cork or Leather, or any Tough substance may serve this Needle for a counter­poise in all Latitudes by thrusting it towards the center in the less Latitudes, and towards the end in the grea­ter, and I think it not impossible, but that a skilful Ge­ometrician may so graduate the one half of such a Nee­dle, that it alone with its counterpoise, may be a means [Page 112] to give a probable conjecture for the Latitude of any place whatsoever.

It will be very convenient in the next place to make a discovery of the Errours committed in making and touching Magnetical Needles and Wyers of Sayling Compasses, and to give advise for the true and right making and touching of them.

First, The Wyers that are commonly made both with us, and in forrain Countries, are of so base and drossie Iron, not apt or sufficient to receive the tenth part of the virtue that fine steel Wyer could do.

Secondly, The ends of the Wyers are for the most part not filed smooth nor [...]itted even together upon the Axis of the file; by means whereof the touch of the stone is more dully received, and the standing of the file more uncertain, the Magnetical force not being in the true Axis thereof.

Thirdly, Their manner of touching the Wyers is altogether pittiful and ridiculous. For with a Load-stone having a point (for seldome times they have a stone so well fashioned, that both points are eminent) that toucheth the North (and such a one though he be but weak is preferred amongst them before another, though much stronger that toucheth to the South) they rub to and fro those ends of the Wyers, which they would have stand Northerly. Wherein what do they else, but play as it were fast and loose, not considering (as the truth is indeed) that every touch from the ends of the Wyers to the center of the Flie withdraweth back again that force, which the contrary touch did give them, and therefore seldom give they above one quarter of that strength, and sometimes not so much, which otherwise with the very same stone they might do, if they ordered all things as they should: yea, I am infalibly assured (for I have had certain experience of it) that with the same stone you may give fully as much, and rather more force, touching in such sort as [Page 113] immediately shall be declared on the upper face of the Fly: over against the Wyers (the Card being between) then they do by touching the very Wyers themselves after their wonted fashion: whensoever therefore a Needle is to be touched, besides the goodness and quan­tity, you must have a regard to the form of your stone, namely, whether it hath both the North and South points eminent and forcible, or only the one, for if it hath both, begin your touching near the middle, pres­sing the true North point, before specified of the stone all along from thence, unto the North pointing end of the Needle; Iterating those touches four or five times, always making some stay with the stone at the end of the Needle. But if the stone have but one forcible point, then if it be the true North, begin your touch­ing at the South pointing end of the Needle, pressing it all along to the North end, Iterating this four or five times, and thence once or twice only from the middle to that end, if the stone hath but the South point, touch the Needle accordingly from the other end; for even as the virtue of the stone it self is semidiameter having his begining (as before is mentioned) in the center of the stone, even so the force which he imparteth to the Needle, is in the nature of a Semidiameter in the mid­dle of the Needle. Insomuch that a Needle being touched from the middle into the other end of the Nee­dle, so that the stone be good, and the Needle but of a reasonable convenient size, as you may evidently trie in every Knife of ordinary goodness and length. But a plate of Steel made at both ends alike, according to the form here above described, is much better to shew this effect. For when the Blade of a Knife is of fine Mettal, the Halft being of course Iron, and also of divers form and temper, it is not any way capable of the like force as the Blade is, which is the reason that if you touch the Blade of an Iron Hafted Knife from the halft unto the point with a Load-stone, it will at the point take up its [Page 114] competenth weight, touch it back again to the utter­most part of the Hast it will take up little or nothing: try the like with such a plate or steel, and you shall find it take up fully as much at the one end as it did at the other: but if you bring his touch to the middle, it will take up little or nothing at the other end, and no­thing at all in the middle it self. The reason hereof is

[depiction of a needle for a magnet]

[Page 115] this, the Magnet giveth his force (secundum

[figure]

Mensurum recipientis) according to the capaci­ty of that which receiveth it, and that ever­more after his own nature, which is to have his force strong in his ends, and none at all in the middle, if you touch the blade from the middle, with either end of the stone, the other end of the halft will immediately receive and shew the contrary quality: even so also will it come to pass if you make proof with any Mag­netical Needle, although that his force will be faint and weak in comparison of the other. And in your touching you must observe that in pressing with the stone from the middle of the Needle unto the end, as you bring your hand backwards to iterate the touch, you must lift your hand somewhat high, and not bring it backwards, close to the Needle, [...]or that would diminish the strength of the touch. But if that end of the Needle be also touched with the other end of the stone, in the manner as I have before rehearsed, then, shall he at each end be a great deel the stronger, and the contrary fain­ter forces shall recoile and settle in the middle of the Needle, where they can nothing at all disturb the mo­tion thereof. We shall next discourse of the touching with a Load-stone capped or without a cap, by caping is meant the placing of two pieces of Iron handsomely fitted and fastened upon the two points of the stone, for Iron for this purpose is better then steel. And likewise concerning the weight that is to be lifted up, it is better to be made of soft Iron then of Steel, and the stone will lift more thereof, as long as there is a contiguity: but if the Iron and the Steel be seperated from the contigui­ty of the stone, the Steel will always carry at the least [Page 116] ten times more virtue then the Iron, as it is before men­tioned. Now whether it were best to touch the Wy­ers with a Magnet being thus capped, or with the bare Stone it self, some there be that make a question; I have been told by one of great skill and practice, that he found by experience, the Compass touched with a cap­ped stone, not to receive his force so well as the other, and the party coming to me when he was to undertake a long Voyage, to have his Compass touched, requested me in any wife to do it with the bare stone: but yet I think it very good that this be confirm'd by more than one mans experience before it be believed, because by some errour he might possible mistake the matter. Sure I am that the capped stone giveth somewhat more virtue in his touch, and by all experience that I have made, I find it to continue as firmly and as long; howbeit I re­fer my self herein to the tryal of others also. A man may therefore touch the Wyers with the bare stone, and then with the same being capped, or contrariwise to be surer of the greater force, and yet if any shall im­agine the difference of the strength of the touch, to be according to the taking up of Iron with the cap or with­out it, he is very much deceived; for I have often try­ed them both, but never could see the touching strength of the Needle to be increased half a quarter more with the cap then without it; whereas I have always (espe­cially if the stone were very good) found that the stone will lift ten times as much Iron: yea, a great deel more (and sometimes twenty times) with the cap (if it be ar­tificially fitted) then he is able to do without it.

Some, who would seem to be of great skill, have im­agined that the best way to add strength to a Needle, is with a Hammer to give some strokes to the point of the stone, thereby causing Litrages (as it were) or Beard, to hang down from it, and that the Needle in his touch­ing, taking some part of that with him, should have the stronger touch. But they that so suppose deceive [Page 117] themselves therein; for a Beard is nothing else, but [...]he fine dust of the stone, hanging together by virtue [...]hereof: which being seperated from the stone (al­ [...]hough it were a right good one) is not able any whit [...]t all to turn a Needle of it self. The tryal is soon made by this means, let them take off that beard from the stone with a stick, and lay it upon the end of a Nee­ [...]le not touched, and they shall find in it no force at all, [...]ay it is hurtful to the Needle, for it giveth a superflu­ [...]us burthen for a small time, and cannot but incumber [...]is action, by reason that every one of those little par­ [...]els of dust (though beaten out at one end) hath also [...]or its small quantity both a North and a South virtue. And therefore marreth as much as it maketh at either [...]nd of the Needle. The proof hereof is manifest, if [...]ou put off that dust or beard upon a paper, and hold a [...]oad-stone under it, for as you turn towards the paper [...]he North or South of the Stone, so will every one of these particles in like manner turn it self, shewing [...]hereby a double nature.

The Compass Needle, being the most admirable and useful Instrument in the World, is both amongst [...]urs and other Nations for the most part so bungerly [...]nd absurdly contrived, as nothing more. And there­fore as I have treated of the nature and use of the Mag­net, I have thought good also to employ my best endea­ [...]our, to advance this noble Instrument towards its highest perfection, being the principal thing by which the worthy effect of the Magnet is made most profita­ble unto Mankind, herein five things are to be conside­ [...]ed, the substance that it is made of, the form, the weight, the capitell, the pin it standeth upon: the substance in any wise ought to be pure Steel and not [...]ron; for most assuredly Steel will take at the least ten times more virtue than Iron can do, but especially if it hath its right temper. And that is this, heat it in the fire untill it be past red hot, that it be whitish hot, and [Page 118] quench it in cold Water suddenly, so is it Brick in a manner or Glass it self, and is at that time incapable of the virtue of the Load-stone. Then must you, laying it upon a plain Table, warily rub with fine Sand all the black colour from it, if before you put into the fire you anoint it with black Soap it will scale white it self, the [...] heat a Bar of Iron well near red hot, and holding one end of the Needle with a small pair of Tongues, lay the other end upon the hot Bar, and presently you shall see that end turn from a white to a yellowish, and af­terwards to a blewish colour, then take that end with your Tongues, and do the like to the other, thrusting it forwards upon the Bar untill the colour of the whole Needle become blewish; then throw it on a Table, and let it cool it self; and so is he of the excellent temper, and most capable to receive the greatest power from the Load-stone. If this seem too curious, especially for some fashions of Needles, then use but the Hammer hardening (as Workmen call it) which is well near as good. As concerning the form, divers men are of di­vers minds, some use a kind of a square one, others a Loop (I mean an extended Ovall form) and this is most common; but now a days a narrow streight plate (be­ing somewhat broader in the middle) is in great request: of these I hold the Loop or Ovall form (if it be well made) to be the best, which is, that if it be Steel, his ends be welded together, having a Lattin narrow plate, issuing from the capitell unto the middle of the two sides of the Loop, and there rivited, and riviting, if it be handsomely shoulered in by the Workman, is better than soadering; because having fitted the Lattin plate, bearing the capitell unto the Loop, you may first put your Loop into his temper, and then rivet this unto him afterwards, which otherwise would be spoiled in the fire, and the wide Loop is better then the narrow or the streight plate, and that for two reasons. The one is because, as in a Magnet it self, the force that is [Page 119] in the whole body, sheweth it self most strongly in his two Poles, even so, this being a Magnetical Body, doth the like in his ends, which are his Poles: and the end of a wide compassed Loop, (being longer than of a narrower) of the same length, in the Axis, must needs contain so much the more Vertue; The other reason is, because it supposeth the Flie in his Circular Motion, more equally ballanced then the other: and therefore were it not for some other Inconveniences, a true Circle were best of all, which that except you mark the two places, that you would have for the North and South, very curiously, you shall never give him the right touch; yea very exceeding hardly, although that you do mark them; and also the Lattine Stay, that holdeth the Capital would be exceeding long, and a superfluous burden; but the best form of all (as I take it) in all respects is this, A true Circle, having his Axis go­ing out beyond the Circle, at each end narrow and nar­rower, unto a reasonable sharp point, and being pure Steel as the Circle it self, having in the midst, a con­venient Receptacle to place the Capital fitly in.

This Circle must have four very small holes drilled through it, equally distant each from the other, for the four Cardinal Points; and in both the two Points, that issue without the Circle, being for North and South, of equal distance between the Circle and the end of the Point two more; if it be a large one, other­wise one is enough, according to the following Figure. And this Needle is most fit to be used for the Observa­tion of the Variation without any Flie, as I will here­after shew.

[base for compass]

Whensoever you will set this Needle unto the Flie, you must put the Capital through the Center of the Flie very precisely, and placing the Points of the Dia­meter where you will have them, thrust little small pins through the upper place of the Flie, and those smal [...] holes in the Needle, the heads of the pins will shew you (if the Flie be larger then your Needle) at wha [...] Point your Needle standeth, and bowing the body o [...] your pins, (being thrust through those little holes) close to the Card below, will keep it steady at that place, and from warping also. And so four pins at the four Cardinal Points will serve the turn.

Again, If you please to place this Needle upon the upper end of the Card according to Stevinius thorough the Center, in the bottom of the Flie, and the Needle placed and fastened on the top, or upper face of the Card.

But if you will have a Magnetical Needle to serve only for one size of a Flie, the best way is, instead of the two pins in the end of the Axis, to have a couple of little half Staples, and a Flower-de-Luce on one of them, as you see in the Loop revitted there. That [...]in turning about the Needle, they may still keep the Flie close unto it, and so fasten it upon a Skrew upon the Capital, wheresoever you please.

As for his weight, it must be according to his large­ness, and the weight is one principal cause, the very large Compasses are unprofitable. For the weight of the weight of the large Card, and the heavy Needle, pressing upon the pin, will cause the Motion of the Flie to be dull and uncertain; and therefore let the Pasteboard be no heavier then you must needs; and for the size of six Inches Diameter of your Paste-board, and a Needle of that length. I know that a Needle of half an Ounce weight, and half a quartern at the utter­most, (if a good Workman have it in hand) will be fully sufficient of what Form soever.

The Capital ought to be Lattin, and Hammer-hard­ned, well and truly boared, not too shallow, but of a good convenient depth and wideness at the bottom, fit­ [...]ing the pin it standeth upon at the top.

The Pin ought to be either of Lattin or Copper, and not of Steel or Iron, as some suppose, for they are very subject to rust; and the Steel, especially by long use, will wear a little hole in the top of the Capital, and [...]y that means the Compass becometh dull, and they hardly if ever will find the reason of it; for the hole will be very small; and entring a very little way in, and yet disturbeth all. Moreover in any wise there [Page 122] must be always an especial diligent Care had of fitness between the Capital and the Pin, otherwise all things appertaining to the Compass are nothing worth. This Pin must be very firmly fixed in the just Center of the Box, and the bottom marked, that whensoever you take it off to sharpen the Pin (which use will make blunt) you may set him in the same place again.

As I have said, that in a Magnet it self, the Vertue is in the whole body, and sheweth it self most forcible in its Poles; even so likewise our Compass Needle, being a Magnetical body, sheweth his force in his ends, which are his Poles, although that force doth proceed out of the whole body of the Needle; which I have now thought good to make apparent by an evident De­monstration: I caused my Workman to make a Nee­dle of a Loop Fashion, eight Inches long, or Oval Form, in all respects fitted to be set to a Flie, saving that there was but one Inch or a little more at each end of the Steel, all the intermediate part between the two ends being of Brass: These two ends I did touch with the North and South ends of a very good Magnet: and whereas in a true Magnetical Needle, I should have had but two points, the one North, and the other South, this Mongrel yielded me six, the two ends adjoyning to the brass of contrary natures unto the sharp Points, and would no more do the Office of a Magnetical Needle then a wooden stick, because the Vertue was not in the whole, and so communicated un­to the two ends, but each end was a Total of himself, being separated, and as it were divorced, the one from all communication with the other, by that intermediate brass: the which being taken away, and the two Forks joined together for that length, presently he became one perfect true Magnetical Needle, and the Vertue of those four confused Points, which ere while was lost in the Forks, will presently be found in the two sharp ends, and now in his natural Seats.

To conclude this discourse of the Compass of the Needle, the needle that is still working upon his Pin continually, will keep his force the better, then that which otherwise laid up, although there be no doubt of the other, for a mans whole Age, or longer, if it [Page 124] be of good Mettal, and kept from open Air and Rust, but especially of any Load-stone. There is no better way of keeping from rust, then by varnishing him, al­though it be but with a drop or two of Linsed-Oyl alone, the Needle that is continually upon his Pin, is still strengthened by the Magnetical power of the Earth, setting himself always towards the Poles thereof (which the other cannot do) and needeth only to have his pin sharpened only now and then: the which of all the faults incident to the compass, is most easily and safely amended. And yet if it be not very well looked unto, it disturbeth all the operation of the Compass more then any other. And divers wrong themselves in be­ing too busie in often touching their Compas [...]es, the fault being in this which no touching can amend.

I have thought good to conclude this short Treatise with a little additament to the ordinary Sailing Com­pass, fitting him thereby to be answerable to the several here prefixed, as also with a comparison of the several uses of the Horizontical and Inclinatory [...] let the glass of the inner box of the Compass be of good thickness and strength, (but yet clear and even) the [...]e that come from Venice for Looking las [...]es before the Soile be set on are the best, if any Man may have them large enough. Let this Glass be very well fitted unto the box and simmoned underneath upon the should'ring of that beareth up the Glass, with a mixture of Wax, Turpentine, Sallet-Oyl and Rosin mingled together: or with any other simmon as you shall think good; a­bove upon the Glass [...]et there be a Ring of thin Past­board, of the breadth of the Should'ring underneath, in like manner simmoned on: then must you have a circle of Lattin about the breadth of the Pastboard Ring, of convenient thickness for strength, which must be di­vided into degrees: this circle must have a plate of Lattin, of half an Inch-broad or broader, according to the largness of the circle for strength, that must cross [Page 125] over the middest of the circle, cut out of the same place with the circle, or else soadered with Silver soader: this must have a line all along the middest of it, and a little loop at each end cut through the two ends of the loops being precisely in that line. Lastly, you must have a moveable Ruler with two long folding sights, of about the Semidiameter of the circle in the breadth above half an Inch: the one of them must have a flit through the length thereof, of about a quarter of an Inch broad, as you shall think convenient, and two lit­tle holes, the one in the top, and the other in the bot­tom, just in the middle of it, to fasten a string, having a very little bead to slide up and down upon it. And this sight must be of thicker stuff then the other; for otherwise because of that which is cut out it would be overpoised by the other, and so the box would swarve towards the other; and the sights must each of them have a little notch in the middest of the top of them: this Ruler must be fastened (but yet so that he may turn about) in the middle of the cross plate most precisely in the center of the circle, his ends cut, that he may shew the Fiducial Line in the divisions of the circle, the other sight needeth to be but a plain plate, having a line in the middle, from the top to the bottom, being the very same in substance with that which we call the compass of variation; although in all things easier per­formed with this, then with that.

The Compass being thus fitted, place the circular Needle upon his pin alone, without any flie. For, be­ing disburdened of the Card, he will shew his virtue the more strongly, and being of the right form, he will ballance himself sufficiently.

Place the circle upon the Glass and Past-board; in such a manner that you may turn the circle round about, very close and even, within the brim of the box.

When you will set the same unto the Compass, turn the circle about, untill thorough the Loops of the mid­dle [Page 126] stay or plate, you see the Axis of the Needle right under the Fiducial Line of the middle stay, then hold­ing the circle so, turn the moveable Ruler with the stringed sight towards the Sun, untill the shaddow of the string fall upon the Fiducial Line of the moveable Ruler, for then doth the end of the Ruler, among the degrees, shew the true place or azimath of the Sun from the Magnetical Meridian, so that two observations ne­cessarily arise from hence, the one in the Forenoon, the other in the Afternoon, thus made, with the several heights of the Sun, being one and the very same, half the differances of those places of the Sun, from the Magnetical Needle is the variation.

If a man have no exact Instrument to take the height of the Sun, he may make some reasonable shift, by set­ting the middle bead towards the top of the string, that it may in the Forenoon cast a shaddow upon the Fiduci­al Line of the Ruler; and marking that place with Ink or Black-Lead, in the Afternoon attend, untill the shaddow of the bead (the bead remaining still where it was full upon the place) for then shall you have that same height, if you will take the amplitude of the Suns rising or setting, set the circle, and turn the Ruler as before, untill the shaddow of the string do fall upon the middle Line of the other sight. Then doth the end of the Ruler shew how far the Sun riseth or setteth from the Magnetical Meridian.

When you will take the Amplititude of the rising or setting of any Star, you must use the help of another, to hold the circle over the Needle (as before) and so you turning of the Ruler, untill you see the Star in his rising or setting, through the two notches on the tops of the sights, then doth the end of the Ruler shew your desire. The like is to be done in observing any cap, or the tendings of any Land for the description of any Coast.

The Horizontical and Inclinatory motions of Magne­tical [Page 127] Needles are both of them but one and the same effect of the Magnet or Load-stone, the making of the Horizontical or Dial-Needle, it is amongst our Artifi­cers very well known and trivial, only they are to be put in mind that they do always make them of pure Steel and not of Iron. But as for the making of Inclina­tory Needles, it is a very curious piece of work: it must be of pure Steel, and in his right temper, the Needle and Axis must be as right Angles the one with the other, and must be so hanged on the two ends of his Axis, that he be very pliant for his motion, and that before (he have his touch) he be so equally ballanced, that the one end be not one jot heavier then the other, for if it be, all the rest is in vain.

When you will use the inclinatory Instrument, thus you must do, hanging by his little Ring, turn him a­bout untill he make his least declination (or inclination) under the Horizon of the Instrument: for then is he just in his Magnetical Meridian, and there sheweth his due point, the which otherwise he can never do. But here I must forewarn you of two great errours publish­ed in the contriving of this Noble Instrument. The one is, that he would have a little box with a Horizon­tical Needle fastened unto the bottom of the Inclina­tory Instrument: for to direct the Instrument unto the Magnetical Meridian; and by his picture of the Instru­ment his distance should be but a little more then an Inch, whereby it is impossible but that the one Needle must needs disturb the other, so that neither of them can shew a right, yea, although they were six Inches assunder and more, where the little box will give little direction for that purpose: and besides that, it is alto­gether unnecessary, because the Instrument will find the Magnetical Meridian, by the least declination of the Needle (as is before shewed) under the Horizon, with­out the help of any other. The other errour is this, that he would have that end of the Needle prepared [Page 128] to hang towards the North, to be framed somewhat higher then the other, as it is usual in Horozontical needles; what Workman soever observeth this Directi­on, I will assure him, that he shall loose his labour, and as soon may he wash a Blackamore white, as to make such a needle as that turn. The reason is, because it is only the Magnetical Vertue that worketh this effect, the which over-weight, in the either end of the needle (in this Motion) doth utterly overthrow.

For Horozontical needles in our Northern Climates, it is necessary; but for inclinatory needles, it is ut­terly untrue in all Climates of the whole World where­soever. The Motion of the Horozontical needle, is naturally stronger then the Inclinatory, for two causes, the one is, because his Motion is only side-ways, the which is the easier for the Magneaical Motion to work in, then that which is up and down, and there is no difference which way you place the Box wherein he standeth, so that it be parallel to the Horizon; where­as the Inclinatory Motion is in a Vertical Circle up and down, and must stand only in his Magnetical Me­ridian to perform his Office. The other cause, is be­cause of the Diversity of their placing in their Boxes; for the Horizontical needle standeth more fitter for his Motion, being placed with his Capital upon the point of a sharp Pin, than the Inclinatory can do, being pla­ced upon the two ends of his Axis, although never so near the Points: But yet he will do very well if he be rightly fitted? and for Navigation under either Pole (if there be any passage that way) it is the only In­strument of the World, for where the Horozontical needle (or Compass) faileth, he is strongest, for the nearer the Pole, the stronger he is in his [...]otion; contrariwise, it is with the Horozontical needle or com­pass, for he is strongest at the Equinoctial, and of no force under the Pole.

The reason whereof is this, under the Equinoctial the Horozontical needle standeth parallel unto the Axis of the Earth, and is equally strengthened for his Motion with the two Poles of the Earth; but under the Poles, he standeth cross-wise at right Angles with the Axis, his Center representing the very Pole of the Earth it self; so that the Equinoctial, and the Hori­zon being there all one, if the needle should have any Horozontical Motion there, it must needs be an East or West Motion parallel unto the Equinoctial, di­rectly contrary to Nature, and to all Magnetical Do­ctrine.

Yet at the Pole the Inclinatory needle is at his chief­est strength, framing himself to be in the same direct Line with the Axis of the Earth it self: so that the Vicinity of the nearest Pole of the Earth, holdeth his convenient end of the needle most strongly, being no­thing at all hindered by the adverse Pole, to affect the upper (or other) end of the needle: The which all other Scituations either more or less it doth, and e­specially under the Equinoctial, where each Pole af­fecting his convenient end of the Inclinatory needle, it must stand very untowardly and unsteadily for that Motion; although most strongly for the Horizontical if you place him accordingly.

Where hence it followeth, that near the Equinoctial Large Compasses, and small Inclinatories are fittest; and near the Poles large Inclinatories, and small Com­passes are best, for look unto what Motion the Magne­tical force is weakest, the smaller Instrument ought to be applyed.

And moreover, forasmuch as the Magnetical Revo­lution of the Inclinatory needle, about the Globe of the Earth maketh his Motion for the difference of eve­ry alteration of Latitude to the Equinoctial, far more large and easier to be discerned, then it can be near the Poles; therefore (as we have said) a less Instru­ment [Page 130] will serve the turn there: and because that near the Pole, his Motion for differences of Latitudes are exceeding small, and hard to be discerned: Therefore very large Instruments Inclinatory are there to be used, especially because the Magnetical strength of the the Needle for that Motion, is there so strong and stea­dy, that it maketh some Recompence for the slowness of his moving; and therefore I suppose that three in Diameter, will serve near the Equinoctial, and fifteen near the Pole.

And because this great one may be the less cumber­some, you may cut off the Circle at forty and five De­grees of each side of the Zenith and Nadir of the In­struments, and yet leave the needle scope enough, for all the Latitudes between sixty Degrees and the Pole; and for the steady standing of the Inclinatory Instru­ment at Sea, you may do thus; about the middle of the Instrument (or rather somewhat above the middle) let there be two round Pins of Brass, about three quar­ters of an Inch long, issue out; and in a Box of a sayling Compass, the miner Circle being taken away, make of each side two half round notches in the outer Circle, and place the Instrument upon those two Pins, the which must have towards their ends, little Circles cut in; that they slip not out of their rings that they are placed in; then will this Instrument stand as steady even at Sea, as the sayling Compass will do; for the Motion of the miner Circle is performed by the turning of those two Pius in their notches, and the outer Cir­cle is common unto them both, always remembring that you hang some pretty weight on the bottom of the Instrument, to make his Motion more certain: If the shadowing of the box hinder your sight from discern­ing of the Point that the needle standeth at, it is soon helped with the light of a little wax Candle put down unto it; and yet this you ought to understand as a­foresaid, that the Horozontical and Inclinatory Moti­ons [Page 131] are but one and the self same Effect of the touch of the Load-stone, and one and the self same needle will very well perform both Motions; namely, the Inclina­tory needle, not the Horizontical, because his placing upon the Pin maketh him very unfit for the Inclinato­ry Motion. But the Inclinatory needle resting with one point of his Axis (the points of his Axis being very sharp) in his little hole, his box being placed parallel to the Horizon, will perform the Horizontical Motion very well. For being placed with the sharp point of the Axis in that hole, it is all one in effect, as the Ho­rizontical is with his Capital on the sharp point of his Pin, but that the one is upward, and the other down­ward, and yet either of them being as fit for that Mo­tion, as the other.

Herein now appeareth the wonderful Wisdom of our God, in limiting his Times and Seasons, for the Revealing of these wonderful Properties for the use of Men, in the poor stone of the Magnes; namely, that (as some will have it) above 3000 years after that it was known and wondred at in the World, for lifting up Iron; (for it was said to be, I know not upon what ac­count, esteemed as an Antiquity in Plato's time) the use of the Horizontical needle was not known in com­mon use, much above 200 years since; and very few years after, (yea scarcely till of late) the Inclinatory hath been in any common use: And who is there that can behold and consider both these uses, viz. both to shew the Quarters of the World (as East, West, North and South, &c.) And also the Latitude of place; to know both these in any place of the World, be the Hea­vens never so much over-cast with Clouds; who is he I say, that can behold these two admirable and preci­ous uses performed, even with the turning of an hand; the which, neither the Grecian Philosophers, nor the fine-witted Romans, nor the Persian Magi, nor the In­dian Cymnosophists, could find out with all their skill [Page 132] and cunning, but he must needs say with that Kingly Prophet, O Lord, our Lord, How great is thy Name through all the Earth? Who hath set thy Glory above the Heavens? He hath made of one blood all Nations of men to dwell on the face of the Earth, and hath deter­mined the times before appointed, and the bound of their habitation that they should seek to him.

If any shall have a mind to quarrel or write against that which I have so long studyed, and spent my time in; chiefly to comfort my Mind, and to be refreshed in the Light of Truth, which is the food of the Soul, mixed with incredi­ble Delight: I shall desire that they will deal so fairly with me, as not out of their fond Curiosity to nibble upon the Twigs and utmost Branches; but let them do their worst strike at the Root or Body of the Tree, or at least-wise some of the principal Limbs thereof: In the mean space, I have no more to say but this; Whosoever thou art that readest this Discourse, where thou art assured, go on with me; where thou art in doubt, search with me; where thou dost acknowledge thy Error, recall me. Some per chance will conceive, that in writing such secrets and wonderful Sub­jects, something may be amiss, some things may seem super­stuous or impertinent, although the dreadfullest Cynick or Crittick of them all, cannot call them unprofitable or un­pleasant: The pains is mine, and if it be over done, done I am sure it is; If I have (in some mens Opinions) said more than enough, the wiser and experter sort of men will think that there is but enough said to serve the turn.

The Resolver of Curiosities, a no less admirable then profitable Discourse of Local, as also of the Swift Motion of the Art of Navigation, of the due proportion to be Observed in Build­ing of Ships, of the Artificial Inventions of several Engins; with a perfect discovery of other admirable Mathematical Secrets.

AFTER the Art of Navigation was found, every man began to challenge to himself the Dominion of the Sea, and to make War as on the Land.

Minos (as Strabo writes) first found out the Art of Navigation, and was thereof (as writeth Diodorus Si­culus) appointed by Saturnus to be Admiral of the Navy: and therefore the posterity afterwards ascribed to him the government of the Sea, and named him the God thereof. But most bestow this honour upon Neptune. After whom the Cretenses were ever esteemed most ex­pert in this Art. But (as Pliny writes) Boats were first Invented, and in them was the first Sayling in the Islands of the Red-Sea, under King Erythra. As also Quintilian witnesseth, saying, If none had proceeded further then our Predecessors, we had nothing in the Poets above Andronicus, and nothing in the Histories above some peculier Chronicles of the Ancients, and we had yet have Sayled in Troughes or in Beats. O­thers have ascribed this Invention to divers of other Nations and Persons: as to the Troians and Myssans in Hellespo [...]: some write that the Ancient Brittains made Boats of Leather or Hydes, and sayled with them in the Ocean. Pliny writes that Danus was the first that brought a Ship into Aegypt out of Greece. Some also give this honour to Mineru [...]. But most rightfully, the Invention both of the Ship and the Art of Navigation, [Page 134] is ascribed to Noah, who (as writeth Eusebius) was long before Neptune or Danus. For doubtless (saith he) the Ark of Noah was none other then a Ship, and the first and only exemplar of the building of all other Ships or Vessels of Sayling. Aso the most Ancient wri­ter Berosus the Chaldean (as writeth Josephus) calleth the Ark of Noah a Ship. The same Josephus also saith, that the Nephews of Noah, departing to Inhabit divers parts of the World, used many Ships, &c. Long after Noah the Tyrians were counted expert in the Art of Navigation: and after them, divers other Nations. For whereas no Art is so perfect, but may receive in­crease, therefore it follows that this Art hath been greatly augmented and brought to further perfection by the witty Inventions of Posterity, even unto our Age. And amongst all other curious Inventions per­taining to Ships, the Marriners Compass is most admi­rable. Some notwithstanding have been found, who have thought this Invention Ancient. Levinus Lemnius in his Third Book and fourth Chapter de occultis Na­turae Miraculis seems to doubt of it. An hoc Instrumen­tum Nauticum Miraculis superioribus seculis extitit, an nostro id aevo excogitatum: whether this Instrument of Navigation were in being in former Ages, or found out in later times, I cannot certainly define. Now that which chiefly causeth them to make a doubt there­of, is those words of Plautus, Hic ventus nunc secundus est, cape modo versoriam: where, by Versoriam, Lem­nius would have us to understand the Marriners Com­pass, and then adds, quanquam ut Opinor hoc pixidicula nostro jam tempore mages exculta sit, Elimata, Expolita, omni [...]que exactius demonstret, as in the same Chapter he speaks of Printing. But for Plantus I dare say he was never guilty of such a meaning: Turnebus by Versoriam understanding the Rope with the Sayl, others the Rud­der, with which the Ship is turned: neither of which are impertinent or improbable, so as there is no necessi­ty [Page 135] of applying it to the Mrriners Compass. Stephen Pasquier in his 4th Book and 23th Chapter of his Re­cherches of France brings it up as high as the times of St. Lewis by the Verses of one Hugh de Bercy, who li­ved in his Reign, and as he pretends plainly describes it; but whether the words are so plain as he makes them, or whether they were published by some other since Bercy, but in his Name, is very uncertain, especi­ally since no Poet or Historiographer contemporary with him, or more Ancient then he, are found to make mention thereof; and yet Lewis dyed not much above 300 years since. Pineda the Spaniard in his Lib. 4th de rebus Solomonis for the more commodious placing of Tharshes in Spain, is confident that it was in Solomons time, making his universal wisdom and deep insight into the nature of all things, the principal ground of his opi­nion: But Solomons wisdom though it were universal and deep, beyond all the Children of the East, inso­much, as God gave him Latitudinem cordis, a large Heart, as the Sand on the Sea shore, yet was it finite and limited as well in things natural as supernatural. I doubt not but Adam in the State of his Integrity knew more then Solomon, and yet I dare not pronounce him Omniscious, that being an attribute (as is likewise Omnipotencie, Ubiquity, and Eternity) individually proper to the Godhead, and incommunicable to any created substance, though mearly incorporeal, whether they be the damned or the blessed Spirits. If then the Holy Angles, if Adam in Paradise knew not all things; nay, if the Son of God himself, as he was Man, con­fesseth himself to be Ignorant of some things, why should we then think it strange to affirm, that Solomon knew not all things. If there be such a secret as the Artificial Transmutation of other Mettals into Gold, (which by the experiments of many is confidently a­vouched) it is more then probable that he was Ignorant of it; for had he knew it, he needed not to have sent his [Page 136] Navy to Ophir or Tharshis for Gold; as likewise had he known the secret of the Loadstone, his Navy need­ed not to have spent three years in going and coming, neither should his Marriners have needed to have crav­ed the assistance of the Tyrians and Sydonians, as Pilots for the better conducting of them in their Voyage. I conclude then that either Solomon knew not this secret, or if he knew it he put it not into practice, or if he put it in practice, it was since lost and recovered again, which to me seemeth the strangest of all.

Now to the Authority of these three, who plead for the Antiquity of this Invention, may be opposed thir­teen, and those in Learning nothing inferious, main­taining it to have been an Invention of latter Ages, un­known to the Ancients, as Acosta, Mariana, Maluenda, Gomara, Turnebus, Pancirollus, Salmuth, Lillius, Gi­raldus, Cardan, Bozius, Bodin, Ramus. And to these might be added many more, were I ambitious in mu­stering up of Names, or did the cause require it. For questionless this our Age may not only seem to contend with the Ancients, but also for many goodly Inventi­ons of Art and Wit, do far exceed them, not to speak of all the marvelous Inventions of our times (as we have already discoursed of the Marriners Compass) much also might be said of the invention of Printing, and making of Guns, Fire-works, and of sundry Artifi­cial Fires, of such marvelous force that Mountains of most hard Rocks and Stones are not able to resist their violence, that neither the Spirit of Demogorgon, or the Thunderbolt of Infernal Pluto can do the like. What should I here speak of the wonderful Inventions of Fat­talio in his Book de Arte Majori: or of any other where­of Vanucius Peringocius writheth in his Book Intituled Pyrotechnie. As touching which terrible inventions, and the like, although men are of Opinion that they were Invented by the Instigation of the Devil, for the destruction of Mankind: yet others weiging [Page 137] the matter more indifferently, think that the Invention of Guns hath been the occasion of the saving of many mens Lives, because before the Invention and Use of them, men were wont to lye a long time a battering of Walls, Towns, Castles, but in short time it comes to hand, stroakes, with which the Aries, Onagri, Catwpulta, or Balistae, Engines of the Ancients) which I know not very well how to English, they being grown for the most part out of use) are no way comparable, nec ulla ex parte, huic conferendus est antiquus Aries, veres infe­riores habebat, et difficilus ad muros adigebat, saith Pa­tricius, the Ram anciently for Batterie, is in no sort to be compared with this Engin, it hath less strength, and more difficulty there was in bringing it, and applying of it to the Walls: And Bodin in the like purpose, (though herein perhaps he jump not with Lipseus in his Poliorcetica) omitto Catapulta Veterum et antiqua belli termenta, quae si cum nostris conferantur sanc pueritia quae­dam Ludricra videri possint: I pas over the Engines of the Ancients, which being compared with ours, are rather Childish toys then Instruments for War. And Lipsius himself calls it, Geniorum, non hominum inventum, an Invention of Spirits and not of Men. Such is the force (as we have in part said) of these Modern En­gines, that they not only destroy Men, but cast down Walls, Rampiers, Towers, Castles, Cities, and shake the Tallest Ships into shivers, there being nothing that comes within their reach that can stand them. It was a piece almost of Incredible bigness, which by Mahomets command was imployed against Constantinople, ad quem trahendum adhibantur septuaginta juga boum, et his mille viri, as witnesseth Chalcondilus in his Eighth Book de Relus Turcicis, for the drawing of which were imploy­ed seventy Yoake of Oxen, and two Thousand Men. It is true there is nothing more mischievous to Besieged Cities, and so there is nothing that helps them more for the chasing away of the Beseigers; it being so for [Page 138] the most part in all things, which either the Art or Wit of man, or God and Nature hath framed, that the more helpful they are being well used, the more hurt­ful are they being abused: then Fire and Water there are no things more commodious to the Life of Man, yet is the Proverb true, that when they are once inraged, and pass their bounds, they become Merciless, Good Servants, but bad Masters. The Tongue is said by Aesop to be the best and worst Meat that comes to the Market: for with it we both bless God and curse Men, saith St. James. And Iron by Pliny is rightly termed, Optimum, possimum (que) vitae instrumentum, the best and worst Instrument belonging to Man. But sure it is that God in his Providence hath reserved this Engine for these times, that by the cruel Force and terrible Roar­ing of it, Men might the rather be deterred from as­saulting one another in Warlike and Hostile manner; I am of Opinion (as I have already expressed) that since the invention and use thereof, fewer have been slain in the Wars then before. Neither doth it serve (as is commonly objected) to make Men Cowards, but ra­ther hardens them. For he that dares present himself to the Mouth of a Cannon, cannot fear the Face of Death in whatsoever shape it present it self.

Howsoever some have not been wanting, who would bear us in hand that this Invention is not of Latter times, but Ancient; among whom Sir Walter Raleigh is one, who in his History of the World, Lib. 1. Sect. 7. refers not only the Invention of Printing, but of Guns too, and Ordinance of Batterie to the Indians, ground­ing himself herein upon the report of the Portugals: and hereby, saith he, we are now made to understand, that the place of Philostratus in Vita Apolony Fianei, is no Fa­ble, though expressed in Fabulous words, when he saith, that the Wisemen which dwell between Hypthesis and Ganges use not themselves to go forth to Battle, but that they drive away their Enemies with Thunder and [Page 139] Lightning. But herein I can say nothing, choosing with Camerarius, potius credere quam cum-molestia expe­riri, rather to believe it, then to endure the hazzard and trouble of it to make the tryal of it. Others refer it to Solmoneus, as witnesseth Levinius, induced thereunto by these Verses of Virgil Aneid. 5.

But Servius in his Commentaries concieves, that this imitation of Thunder was by driving his Chariot [Page 140] over a brazen Bridge; and if he used an Engine, it seems to have been rather for Ratling and Terror, then for any real Effect. And whereas great Ordi­nance exceed Thunder, this was such that it came far short of it; And therefore as Rota hath well expressed, the Poet calls it.

But this I leave as a very uncertain ground for the ancient Invention of this Engine. Petarch and Valtu­rius upon better shew of reason (as they conceive) re­fer it to Archimedes, found out (as they pretend) by him for the overthrow of Marcellos Shippes at Syracuse Siege. But it were strange that both Plutarch and Li­vy, who have written largely of his admirable Wit and wonderful Engines; and particularly of the Siege of that City, should among the rest forget this rare In­vention, and yet more strange, that the Romans upon the taking of the City, should not take it up and make use of it: Nay, as Magius (who hath written a Chap­ter to this purpose, to refute them who refer this In­vention to the Ancients) hath observed; neither He­ron, nor Pappus, nor Athenens, nor Biton in their Ma­nuscripts of the Mechanicks (for printed they are not) have described any such Engines, nor Aegidias Roma­nus, (who lived and wrote in the Reign of Philip the fair King of France) about the year 1285) where he treats purposely of Warlike Engines and Instruments: yet remembers not any such thing. Brightman in his Exposition on the Revelation of St. John, tells us that by the Fire, and Smoak, and Brimstone which in that place are said to have issued out of the Mouths of the Horses, are to be understood, our Powder and Guns now in use, and that of them St. John prophesied, But how these are said to issue out of the Mouths of Hor­ses, [Page 141] he doth not well express, nor I think well under­stood.

The Common Opinion then is, that this device was first found out by a Monk of Germany, whose name ma­ny Writers affirm to be deservedly lost; but Forcatu­lus in his fourth book of the Empire and Phylosophy of France names him Berthold Swartes of Cullen, and Sal­much Constantine Anklitzen of Friburg: Howsoever they all agree that he was a German Monk, and that by chance a spark of Fire falling into a pot of Niter, which he had prepared for Physick or Alchimy, and causing it to fly up, he thereupon made a Composition of Powder, with an Instrument of Brass or Iron, and putting the fire to it found the Conclusion to answer his Expectation. The first publick use of Guns that we read of, was thought to be about the year 1380. as Magius, or 1400 as Ramus, in a battel betwixt the Venetians and Genoways, fought at Clodia Fossa, in which the Venetians having from the Monk belike, gotten the use of Guns, so galled their Enemies, that they saw themselves wounded and slain; and yet knew not by what means, nor how to prevent it, as Platina witnesseth in the Life of Ʋrbane the sixth. And Leval­la in his second Book and 34th chapter of his Ellegan­cies, (which as himself testifies) he wrote in the year 1438. says that the Gun grew in use not long before his time: his Words are, Nuper inventa est Machina quam Bombardum vocant, The Engine which they call the Gun was lately found out. And Petarch who lived some time before him to the like purpose in his 99th Dialogue of his Remedies of both Fortunes, though therein I confess he seem to cross himself, Erat hac pestis nuper rara, ut cum ingenti Miraculo cerneretur: This pestilent device was lately so rare, that it was beheld with marvellous great Astonishment. Yet [...] have seen the Copy of a Record, that great Ordinanc [...] were brought by the French to the battery of a Castl [...] [Page 142] or Fort called Outhwyke, near to Callico, and then in the possession of the English, the first year of Richard the Second; of which Fort, one William Weston was Captain, and being questioned in Parliament for yield­ing up the Fort, he did in his excuse alledge, that the Enemies brought to the Battery thereof, nine pieces des grosses Canons, par les quelles, les mures, & les Mea­sons da dit Chastel, Junen rentes, & percusses en plusiens Lieux. of great Canons, by means whereof the Walls and Houses of the said Castle were in divers places rent in sunder, & sorely battered; and in another place he termeth them huge most grievous, & admirable Ordi­nance; nay more then so, I am credibly informed, that a Commission is to be seen for making of Salt-Peter in Edward the thirds time, and another Record of Ordi­nance used at that time, some twenty years before his Death; by all which it should appear, that either the Invention of Guns was sooner than it was commonly conceived, or that our Nation and the French had the use of it with the first: Howsoever it is most clear, that at least-wise in these parts of the World, this In­vention was not known till in latter Ages. But to con­tinue our discourse of Engines and ingenious Inventi­ons, used and invented for the Glory of God, against the Tyranny of Turks and Infidels, for the Defence of his People; we may rightly say of them, that they were the Gifts of God, as were the Inventions or Art of them that either builded the Temple of Jerusalem, or the Ark of God: And yet is it there written of these Artificers, that God gave them the Spirit of Know­ledge and cunning in such Arts. And therefore I think it may be also said without offence, that the Knowledge of Archimedes, and other men of such com­mendable Inventions, are the Gifts of God free, and not bound to any Nation or Person.

Besion, that excellent Geometrician of our late times, who was master of the Engines to the French King, Pub­ [...]ished a book in Print, concerning the Forms and Pour­ [...]raicture of sixty Engines of marvellous strange and [...]rofitable device, for divers commodious and necessary [...]ses, of which forasmuch as three of them, that is to [...]ay, the '54, 57, and 60. are Engines chiefly pertain­ing to Ships, I shall in their due place discourse of them. My next design shall be to treat of the Proportions of Local Motions, wherein to the most expert in Learn­ing, I shall shew the Errors of Aristotle by Words and Demonstrations, and that modestly, for I repute Ari­stotle for the chief of Philosophers. Yet for that it is [...]umane to err, he also might sometimes fail. In the handling of which Demonstrations, I shall not so apply [...]y self to Philosophers, as not to descend, so as to in­form the Marriner, that he may learn many proper Conclusions from thence most necessary for his Know­ [...]edge, and afterwards proceed to other rare Mathe­ [...]atical Secrets of other Engines, and of the most swift Motion by the Art of Navigation.

First of all, before we shall touch the point of De­ [...]onstra [...]ion of Proportions, of Motions Local; we are [...]o take Notice that of Bodies being of one and [...]he same [...]ind, the like and self-same is the proportion between Quantities, which is also between Heaviness or Light­ [...]ess, either simply or in respect to other, it maketh [...]e matter it is enough, that among them whose Pro­ [...]ortions we shall consider by Quantity, among the same [...]kewise we shall understand by Heaviness and Light­ [...]ess, &c. Let there be for Example two bodies of [...]ead, and uneq [...]al. As A and E. of the which the Bo­ [...]y A, shall be trible in Qu [...]ntity to the Body E; for of [...] the Multiplications of the Body, let no man be de­ [...]ived: for many have thought the Sphere to be Du­ [...]icate, when the Diameter is Duplicate, which is a [...]eat Error, as appeareth in the 15. of the 12th of [Page 150] Euclide. For there is shewed that the Proportion of two [...]pheres the one to the other, to be as it were the Triplicate Proportion of the Diameter of the greater Sphere, to the Diameter of the less; likewise also is shewed in the 37. of the 12th, of solid Bodies, Like and Equidistant Superficies. Furthermore, Albertus Dure­rus speaketh sufficiently of this in his 4. Book of Geome­try, teaching the Duplication of Cubus, &c. For then the same Body A, shall exceed the Body E, in heavy­ness in triple Proportion. Note therefore the Weight A, and the Letter B, and E, be signed F. and conceive in mind the Body A. to be divided into three equal parts, that is to say, C, D, G, of the which parts, H, I, K. now is it manifest for the Presupposition, that every part of C, D, G, in equality shall corre­spond to the Body E. and shall weigh by common

[diagram showing center of mass for systems of objects of porportional sizes]

[Page 151] Science, equally F. which if it were not, every part of A should not be reputed Homogeny, or all of one like sub­stance with the Body E, and so should it repugn with the presupposed. Therefore, forasmuch as H, I, K, together, is equivolent to B, only by common Science, shall be also (by the 7. of the 5th) B, to F. the same that is H, I, K. to the same F. but the Weight of H, I, K. is triple to F. by which reason the Proposition is manifest.

I will now make Demonstration how Bodies of the self-same, or one kind and Figure, equal or unequal one to the other, in the same midst or mean, by equal spa [...], be moved in one or self-some-time; the which is against Aristotle, and all other Philosophers, that have not yet seen this Proposition. Aristotle first, in the 4th of his Phisickes Cap. de Vacuo, where he intendeth to shew, that if Vacuum or Void be granted, Moving or Motion, is taken away, &c. He there saith thus, We see those Bodies which have more Heaviness or Lightness; So that they be one Figure, to be more swiftly moved by equal space, and by such proportion as they have the one to the other. And therefore they are so moved per Va­cuum, &c. which is proved to be false. Furthermore, what St. Thomas Aquinas saith touching this; any man that will, may read; for no man better understood the mind of Aristotle. But for the Examples, that Simplicius and Averroes give to the understanding of this (by two Spherical Bodies of equal Quantity, but of divers kinds, as one of Gold, and the other of Silver) we must not therefore say, that he understood this Proposition as I will demonstrate. For they should have said somwhat of the Equality of the Quantity of those Bodies; foras­much as the Motion of Bodies, equal and unequal, is all one, so that they be all one Figure: As for Exam­ple, If there be three Spherical Bodies, of the which two are of Gold, and the third Silver, and they of the Gold are unequal, and the other of Silver equal to one of the [Page 152] Golden Bodies; then in the same Proportion of time, shall be moved the Golden Body equal to that of Silver, with Silver Body, with the Golden uneqal, as shall be declared hereafter. Furthermore, 6 Phisick Cap. 1. in the end, and in a manner through all the Chapter of the same Book, he confirmeth the same: but in the fourth he saith thus, whereas every thing that moveth, moveth in some other, and in some time, and that moveable is Motion of the whole, the same or all one shall be the Divisions of the time and the moving, and of to be mo­ved, and of that which is moved as also of that in the which is moving. Afterward he giveth Demonstration after his manner, but Cap, 7. he willeth the same, where he intendeth, that infinite time, nothing may pass into infinite greatness, &c. Furthermore Aristotle in his first Book, de Calo, confirmeth the same, saying simply, that the Reason or Consideration of times, is contrary to the reason of weights; as if half a weight be moved in this time, the double is moved in the half of this, &c. And this Cap. 6. furthermore, Cap. 8. of the same Book he saith, the Fire in as much as it is grea­ter then the Earth, so much the sooner and swiftlyer it cometh to its resting place, &c.

Also in his Second Book, de Calo, Cap. 8. he saith thus: As in other things, the greater Body is the more swiftly moved by his proper course or motion, even so also in the Heavenly Circles, and again Cap. 13. he af­firmeth the same in two places, saying that the greater Earth, is swiftlyer moved.

Item, Lib. de Carlo Cap. 2. He saith thus, if accord­ing to the Proportion which hath the space of C D. the Body of B shall be divided, all B in the same time shal [...] be moved by C E, in the which time part of B by C D, of necessity: Wherefore it followeth that B be moved by swifter Motion then part of B. Afterwards he mak­eth a like Demonstration, saying thus, The swiftness of the less to the swiftness of the greater, hath such Pro­portions [Page 153] as the greater Body to the less, &c. Again in his 3d. Book de Carlo cap. 5. In the end of it he saith likewise, that so much the more every thing is moved, as it is the greater, as also the Fire, the greater it is, is so much of swifter Motion, &c. he confirmeth the same cap. 2. & 4th. of the same Book, where yet speak­ing more clearly, he faith, That the greater Fire ri­seth swiftlye [...] upwards than a less; and a greater piece of Gold or Lead, doth swiftlyer move downwards, and the like of heavyer Bodies; and more clearly can no man gather the meaning of Aristotle.

Vitelio, in his second Book of Perspective, in the se­cond Proposition, hath fallen into the same Error. I pretermit his Ignorance in that Proposition where he thinketh that there is no Quantity insensible: But let this pass with other Errors, the which at another time shall be shewed in their place. He that will read o­ther Philosophers, shall see that they all accord with the mind and Sentence of Aristotle, who also in divers other places confirmeth the same: but to have Re­hearsed these principal places, may suffice, and there­fore we shall now come to the Demonstration.

This propounded Demonstration, I will shew appa­rently, that it may the better be understood, and for­asmuch as Aristotle in his work De insidentibus Aquae, hath spoken nothing of the Proportion of Motion of E­lements, it is manifest that he hath not yet searched this Proposition; for there was the proper place of this matter. But it is not granted to any one man to know all things: and therefore it was very difficult to many to imagine the Supposition, whereas Archimedes mak­eth none other Demonstration, but that natural Moti­on is not caused of any other then of the Excess or pro­ceeding of a Body in an Element, above or upon the said Element.