Selected quad for the lemma: day_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
day_n	degree_n	hour_n	minute_n	23,734	5	12.6443	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60283	The principles of astronomy and navigation, or, A clear, short, yet full explanation of all circles of the celestial and terrestrial globes and of their uses : being the whole doctrine of the sphere and hypotheses to the phenomena of the primum mobile : to which is added a discovery of the secrets of nature which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass &c. : as also a new proposal for buoying of a ship of any burden from the bottom of the sea / by George Sinclair.	Sinclair, George, d. 1696.; Sinclair, George, d. 1696. Proteus bound with chains, or, A discovery of the secrets of nature which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass.	1688 (1688)	Wing S3857; ESTC R26242	48,104	164

and Nations This Political Year is manifold for it is either Iulian which contains 365 days hours 6 which six Hours if they were reckoned every Year would make confusion therefore the Masters of Astronomy have appointed they should be omitted till the fourth Year and then four times six make 24 which make up a full and compleat Day which being inter caled that is interlaced or put between as in Leap Year there is a Day put between the 28 of February and the first of March the Year is called Annus Intercalaris or Bissextile Year It is to be adverted that the cause of correcting the Iulian Calendar by Pope Gregory the 13 in the year 1582 was the unjust quantity of it For by this it came to pass that after some Ages the four Cardinal Points did anticipate and prevent their Seats and so at length the four Seasons of the Year might be interchanged From this it is evident this Day that according to these times the Equinoctial and the Ingress of the Sun into the 12 Signs have anticipated almost 13 Degrees That is the entering of the Sun into Aries Taurus c. falleth out sooner by 13 Degrees than to the Romans which comes to pass because more than what is just is given to the space of the Year For there were given to the Year by the correction of Iulius Cesar 365 days and six hours for which hours every fourth year one day is added and so the common Iulian year contains 365 days but the Bissextile 366. But seing the Solar year in which the Sun runs thorow the whole Ecliptick is less than this space by almost eleven Minuts of Time every Year it comes to pass that in 50 year and a half one hour remains and in the space of 130 years a whole day remains I said the Political Year was manifold either Iulian of which hitherto or Egyptian or Iudaical The Egyptian year contains always 365 days This Year was esteemed most useful by the antient Astronomers for the Art of reckoning the Celestial Motions The Iudaical Year is accommodated and fitted to the Motion of the Moon and contains for the greatest part twelve and sometimes thirteen Lunations This Year did the Astronomers use before the reformation of the Calendar instituted by Iulius Cesar by the help of one Sosigenes a famous and learned Mathematician The beginning of these Years is divers also For the antient Romans began their Year from March the later Romans from the midst of Winter called Bruma The Iews by Divine Institution began their Year from the New Moon which was next after to the Vernal Equinox That we this day begin our Year from the first of Ianuary it is for this because we following the custom of the late Romans beginning their Year from the midst of Winter which was nearest to the first of Ianuary by little and little the Winter Solstice did prevent and anticipat its Seat and Place The Egyptian year hath not a sure beginning by reason that six hours are omitted Hence is it that every fourth Year it anticipats one Day and therefore within 365 Years four times numbered or 1460 Iulian Years the beginning of the Egyptian Year wanders over all the Days of the Iulian Year CHAP. XIV Concerning the divers Phenomena which are to be seen in the various Positions of the Sphere THe last part of this little Tractat shall be in examining the Phenomena which are proper to the various Situations and Positions of the Sphere The Sphere may have seven different Positions 1. When both the Poles of the World do rest in the Horizon which is called a Right Sphere The second Position is Oblique when our Vertical Point is terminated between the Equinoctial and either of the Tropicks The third Position is when our Zenith is under either of the Tropicks The fourth is when our Zenith is between either of the Tropicks and the neighbouring Polar The fifth is when our Zenith is in the very Polar itself The sixth is when our Zenith is between either of the Polars and the neighbouring Pole of the World. And lastly when the Poles of the World do fall in with the Poles of the Horizon which is called a Parallel Sphere CHAP. XV. Concerning the Phenomena of the first Position 1. EVery Star in the Heavens riseth and setteth neither is there one of them without this property and therefore in this Position there is neither Polar Artick nor Antartick according to the Antients 2. There is here a perpetual Equinox 3. The Sun every Year passing twice over their Heads is to them twice Vertical to wit when he is in the Equinoctial Points 4. As much as the Sun declines from their Vertical Point towards the North as much also doth he decline from their Vertical Point towards the South 5. They have four Solstices two when the Sun is highest in their Vertical Point and two when he is lowest in Cancer and Capricorn 6. They have two Summers and two Winters but only Analogically for even in Winter their Bodies are scorched with heat 7. There are here in this Position five different Shadows the Meridional or South Shadow the North Shadow a Shadow from the East a Shadow from the West and a perpendicular Shadow which falls out only when the Sun is in the Equinoctial Points 8. The end or extremity of their Gnomons upon their Horizontal Dialls which are our Polar Dialls describe the whole Year the Figure called Hyperbole except when the Sun is in the beginning of Aries and Libra where he describes a straight and right Line CHAP. XVI Of the Phenomena of the second Position 1. SOme Northern Stars tarrying always above our Horizon have Eternal Days and contrariwise there are some about the South Pole which never come above the Horizon but have Eternal Nights 2. The Artick and Antartick Circles according to the Antients are not as yet equal to our Polars 3. The Artificial Day is not equal to its own Night two Days only excepted when the Sun is in the Equinoctial Points at which time there is thorow the whole World an Equinox 4. The longest Day there doth not exceed thirteen Hours and a half 5. The Sun is to them twice Vertical every Year to wit when he comes to those Degrees of the Ecliptick whose Declination is equal to the Latitude of the Place for he describes then a Parallel thorow the Zenith 6. The Sun in the Meridian goeth further towards the South than towards the North. Note That we are now speaking and in the following Discourse of those seven Positions which are in the Northern Sphere 7. There are here four Solstices two high and two low The two highest fall out when the Sun is in that Parallel which passeth thorow the Zenith The two lowest are when the Sun is in the Tropicks Yet that which falls out in the Tropick of Capricorn is lower than that which falls out in the Tropick of Cancer 8. They have two Summers

Equinoctial Points by its mutual Section with the Ecliptick in which Points when the Sun is existing there is an Universal Equinox over the whole Earth 2. It is divides the Ecliptick into two halfs the one called the North part the other the South part 3. It distinguishes the Signs in which when the Sun is existing the Days are longer than the Nights from those Signs in which when the Sun is existing the Nights are longer than the Days The proper Uses of the Solstice Colure are 1. It demonstrats to us the two Solstice Points in which when the Sun is existing he is either nearest to our Zenith or furthest removed from it 2. Upon this Colure we reckon the Suns greatest Declination or the greatest Obliquity of the Ecliptick which is found to be this day twenty three Degrees and thirty Minuts 3. It divides the Zodiack into two halfs the one called Ascending the other Descending 4. It distinguisheth the Signs in which when the Sun is existing the Days become longer and the Nights become shorter from those Signs in which when the Sun is existing the Nights become longer and the Days become shorter 5. In this Circle are the two Poles of the Ecliptick as many Degrees distant from the Poles of the World as the greatest obliquity of the Ecliptick contains 6. Upon this Colure the Latitudes of the Zones are determined For between the Tropicks is contained the breadth of the Torrid Zone between the Tropicks and the nearest Polar Circles are contained the two Temperate Zones and the other two remaining Arches of this Circle contain the breadth of the two Frigid or Cold Zones CHAP. V. Of the Horizon THe Horizon is one of the greatest Circles of the Sphere Immovable and equally distant from the Vertical Point It is called Immovable that it may be differenced from the rest of the Movable Circles but especially First From their Equinoctial who live under the Poles Secondly From their Ecliptick whose Zenith is placed in the Polar Circles for their Ecliptick every day is twice united with their Horizon but without delay Thirdly From their Circles of Declination or their Colures who live under the Line for there the forementioned Circles and the Horizon are twice by every Revolution of the Sphere united but the Circles of Declination follow the Motion of the Primum Mobile but the Horizon stands Immovable The Horizon is said indeed to be Immovable but not Unchangable for there are as many Horizons as there are Vertical Points and while we change our Vertical Point of necessity we change our Horizon also Two ways is the Horizon divided First In relation to the Equinoctial which is called a Right Horizon an Oblique Horizon and a Parallel Horizon The Right Horizon is so called because it cuts the Equinoctial at Right Angles It is called Oblique because it cuts the Equinoctial at Oblique Angles And it is called a Parallel Horizon when it lies Parallel to the Plain of the Equinoctial or rather when it is united with the Equinoctial And according to this Relation it hath to the Equinoctial the Sphere it self hath obtained the same Division Secondly The Horizon is either Rational or Sensible The Rational Horizon is defi●…ed above and is understood to divide the whole World or Sphere of the World into two equal parts the first whereof is called the uppermost Hemisphere the second the nethermost Hemisphere It is called Rational because tho we cannot see the whole World or the exact half of it yet Reason tell us by the Rising and Setting of the Sun Moon and Stars that the inferior part of the World is equal to the superior part The Sensible Horizon is nothing else but so much of the Earth as a man by turning his eye once doth behold round about him The Uses of the Horizon are these First it divides that part of the Heavens which is seen from the other which is not seen the Superior part from the Inferior part 2. Thorow the Poles of the Horizon the Meridian ought to pass therefore the Description of the Meridians depend from the Horizon 3. By the Situation of the Horizon we know whether it be a Right Sphere Oblique Sphere or a Parallel Sphere 4. In the Horizon the Rising or Setting of the Stars are observed 5. The Horizon sheweth what Degree of the Ecliptick what part also of the Equinoctial or what Degree with any given point of the Heaven riseth or setteth 6. It boundeth and terminats the Ascensional Difference 7. Upon the Horizon is numbred the Rising or Setting Amplitude of any point in the Heaven 8. It demonstrats and sheweth the Cause and Reason of the equality of Days and Nights in a Right Sphere and of the unequality of the same in an Oblique Sphere For the Horizon in a Right Sphere cutteth all the Circles of the Natural Day equally but unequally in an Oblique Sphere 9. From the Horizon we number the Morning-Twilight for when the Sun ●…s distant in some Vertical Circle 18 or 19 Degreees from the Horizon so that ●…rom that Moment he approach nearer ●…nd nearer unto it then begins the Morning-Twilight But the Evening-Twilight ends when the Sun after his Set●…ing comes to that 18 or 19 Degree ●…oresaid for then doth the Light turn ●…nto Darkness 10. From the Horizon we number the Elevation of the Pole ●…nd Equinoctial 11. From the Hori●…on are numbred various and divers ●…inds of Hours as the Italick and Iewish Nocturnal Hours from the West part of the Horizon but the Babylonish Hours ●…nd the Iewish unequal Diurnal Hours ●…rom the East part CHAP. VI. Of the Meridian THe Meridian is one of the greatest Circles in the Sphere passing thorow the Poles of the World and the Poles of the Horizon By the words thorow the Poles of the Horizon it is distinguished from the Horary Circles of which none but it self passes thorow the Poles of the Horizon It has acquired divers and sundry Names by reason of its manifold uses by Astrologers which are not fit to repeat now What was said above concerning the Colures and Circles of Declination to wit that they are in number equal to the Vertical Points the same may be said of the Meridian for as many of them may be imagined as there are Vertical Points which are infinite providing a man travel from East to West for if a man go from North to South or from South to North he travels round about the World without variation of his Meridian The Brasen Meridian in the Celestial or Terrestrial Globe supplyes the office of them all which are innumerable But in Geographical Tables and Mapps Geographers use to extend one Meridian thorow two and two opposite Degrees of the Equinoctial for finding out the more easily the Latitudes of Places Of all these Meridians there is a common beginning se●…led in the Fortunate or Canary Islands because the Antient Geographers deemed those Islands to be the Westmost part of the World and therefore they

which setteth with the Sun. Subtract the lesser from the greater and half the difference is the Ascensional difference which added to six Hours in the Summer half Year but subtracted therefrom in the Winter half Year gives half the Diurnal Arch whose double is the whole Diurnal Arch and the Complement of the Diurnal Arch to 24 Hours is the Nocturnal Arch. For Example The tenth day of April 1687 the Oblique Ascension of the Sun being in the first Degree of Taurus is 10 deg 21. m. the Oblique Descension is 45 deg 27 m. whose difference is 35 deg 6. m. whose half is 17 deg 33 m. the Ascensional difference which being added to 90 deg or 6 Hours is 107 deg 33 m. which make 7 hours 10 m. fere for the time of the Suns setting which is always half the Diurnal Arch. Therefore the Diurnal Arch is 14 hours 20 m. Which taken from 24 hours there remains 9 hours 40 m. for the Nocturnal Arch required Note That the Ascensional difference added to the Oblique Ascension in the Summer half Year but subtracted from it in the Winter half Year gives the right Ascension of the Sun or any of the Stars What is said of the Day in respect of the Sun may be most commodiously applyed to the Stars For the Day of a Star is rightly called the space of Time wherein it is above the Horizon and the Night of a Star the space of Time wherein it is below the Horizon Concerning the days of the fixed Stars let the following Theorems be observed 1. In a Right Sphere the Stars have a perpetual Equinox 2. But in an Oblique Sphere the fixed Stars whose North Declination is greater than the Complement of the Altitude of the Pole are said to have an Eternal Day but those Stars whose South Declination exceeds the Complement of the Altitude of the Pole are said to have an Eternal Night The intermediate Stars have the course of rising and setting 3. In a Parallel Sphere the fixed Stars are said to have Eternal Days and Eternal Nights Days Civil are called the space of Time of one Revolution of the Equinoctial which according to every Nation or Countrey is divers ways begun and made use of For as there are various and divers Nations in the World so each one hath a different way of beginning their Hours For the Iews by Divine Institution began their Day from the setting of the Sun which custom the Italians do observe The Babylonians began their Day from Sun rising whose practice the Norinbergers the People called the Umbri and the Egyptians do imitate The Arabians as the Astronomers begin their Day from the Meridian The Romans from Midnight The Germans the Frenches and Spainards begin their Day from the Meridian and Mid-night For their Clocks and Watches are so contrived that they return from one a Clock in the Night-time to twelve a Clock in the Day-time and from one a Clock in the Day-time to twelve a Clock at Night-time Their Days are divided as the Astronomical Days into one Artificial Day and likewise into Forenoon and Afternoon And because Hours are parts of the Days therefore we must speak a little of them The Hour is the twentieth and fourth part of the Natural Day or the space of Time wherein the twentieth and fourth part of the Equinoctial or 15 Degrees thereof riseth above the Horizon But this Definition is not sufficient because it doth not agree to all Hours for every twelfth part of every Day and every Night whatsoever was called by the Iews and the Antients an Hour But 15 Degrees of the Equinoctial do not always ascend above the Horizon every one of these Hours but sometimes more and sometimes fewer as will appear afterward Therefore an Hour may rather be defined thus a certain part of the Artificial Day and Night made use of by divers Nations after a divers manner that it may be known generally what the Hour is For in effect that definition agrees only to to those Hours which are called Hor●… Aequales equal Hours The Hours then which are called unequal ought to be defined thus The twelfth part of every Artificial Day and Night therefore according to the divers Seasons of the Year the Hours are sometimes shorter and sometimes longer in Summer longer and in Winter shorter as are th●… Iewish Hours for they divide both the Day and the Night into twelve parts both in Summer and in Winter calling the rising of the Sun the beginning of the first Hour and consequently nine their third Hour twelve their sixth Hour three a Clock in the Afternoon their ninth Hour and the setting of the Sun the end of their twelfth Hour by which means their Hours must be far longer in Summer than in Winter The equal Hours are of three sorts for some take their beginning from the setting of the Sun as the Italian Hours Others take their beginning from the rising of the Sun as are the Babylonish Hours and the Hours of the City of Norimberg who from the rising of the Sun begin the number of the Hours of the Day the Circles of which Hours do lightly touch the greatest Parallels of all which do appear above the Horizon and of all which do not appear Lastly Others do take their beginning from the Meridian which Astronomers make use of and these Nations which either take their beginning of Hours from the superior part of the same Circle or from the inferior part CHAP. XIII Concerning Years AS Hours make up Days so Days make up Years therefore we must speak somewhat of Years The Year then is twofold Astronomical and Political The Astronomical Year is the space of Time wherein the Sun returns either to the same Point of the Ecliptick or to the same fixed Star. And this is twofold the Tropical Year called Annus Vertens or the Syderial Year Annus Vertens is a space of Time wherein the Sun leaving some Point of the Ecliptick returns again to the same Point The quantity of this Year is changeable for sometimes it is more and sometimes it is less Between these two extreams the middle Year contains 365 days hours 5 m. 49 sec. 15. thirds 46. But the true or apparent Year is sometimes 365 days hours 5 min. 56. sec. 53 thirds 1. Sometime it is 365 days hours 5 min. 42 sec. 28 thirds 27. The Syderial Year is a space of Time wherein the Sun under the Starry Sky returns to the same fixed Star. The quantity of this Year is 365 days hours 6 min. 6 sec. 39. It is always equal to it self and therefore the measure of the Year called Annus Vertens The beginning of this Annus Vertens is taken from the Vernal Equinox but the beginning of the Syderial Year from the first Star of Aries The Political Year is an Annual space of Time which is either accommodated to the course of the Sun or the Moon or to both according to the common reckoning of several Countries

the Oblique and Right Circles of the Sphere It is called by divers Names For sometimes it is called the Equator sometimes the Equinoctial and sometimes the Middle and greatest of the Parallels The Uses and Offices of the Equinoctial are these 1. It measureth the first Motion For this Circle of all the Circles of the Sphere under any Position whatsoever moveth equally and therefore it ought to be also the Measure of Time it being most fit for determining the quantity of the Artificial and Natural Days For this cause it is that the Degrees of the Equinoctial are called by some Tempora Times 2. It pointeth forth to us in the Ecliptick the two Equinoctial Points those Points in which the Equinoctial and Ecliptick cut one another in the beginning of Aries and Libra For when the Sun cometh to these Points the Day and the Night are of equal length over all the Earth which falleth out on the 10 or 11 of March and on the 13 or 14 of September 3. That which is Anomolous and Irregular in the Oblique Motion of the Zodiack is reduced to a sure Rule by the help of the Equinoctial 4. It divideth the Sphere into two equal parts the one called the North part in which is the Pole named Polus Septentrionalis Boreus or Articus the other called the South part in which is the Pole named Polus Australis Meridionalis or Antarticus 5. By this means it divideth the Zodiack into six Signs called Northern Signs and into other six called Southern Signs 6. From the Equinoctial are numbred the Declinations of all and whatsoever Points in Heaven as well South as North. The Declination of any Point or Star is an Arch of a Circle of Declination measured between the Equinoctial and the said Point or Center of the said Star. Circles of Declinations are of the Greatest Circles in the Sphere Movable passing thorow the Poles of the World and any point given 7. Upon the Equinoctial we reckon the Right Ascension of any or whatsoever Point in Heaven Right Ascension is nothing else but an Arch of the Equinoctial measured between the first Point of Aries and that Circle of Declination which passes thorow the point given 8. Upon the same Equinoctial we measure the Oblique Ascension and Descension of any point in Heaven whatsoever Oblique Ascension is an Arch of the Equinoctial measured between the first Point of Aries and that Point of the Equinoctial which riseth in the same Moment of Time with the Point given Oblique Descension is an Arch of the Equinoctial measured between the Point foresaid and that Point of the Equinoctial which sets in the same Moment of Time with the Point given 9. Upon the Equinoctial we count and reckon the Ascensional Difference which is nothing else but an Arch of the Equinoctial by which Right Ascension differs from Oblique 10. Upon the Equinoctial we measure the Rising and Setting Amplitude This Rising and Setting Amplitude is nothing else but an Arch of the Horizon measured between the Rising or Setting of the Equinoctial and the Rising or Setting of any Star or Point given 11. Upon the Equinoctial we number the Longitudes of Places and upon the same we reckon the Latitudes of Places The Longitude of a place is an Arch of the Equinoctial measured between the first Meridian and the Meridian of the Place The Latitude of a Place is an Arch of the Meridian measured between the Equinoctial and Zenith of the Place 12. The Equinoctial is most useful for making of Sun-Dials for there must be as many Hours upon the Plain as there are 15 Degrees in the Equinoctial four and twenty times numbred CHAP. III. Of the Zodiack THe Zodiack is one of the Greatest Circles of the Sphere Movable under which the Planets perpetually haunt The first and second Difference are added as in the Definition of the Equinoctial The third which is in these words under which the Planets perpetually haunt do distinguish the Zodiack from all other Circles For it may come to pass that this or that Planet by his proper motion may be under the Meridian may be under some Horary Circle may touch lightly the Horizon but that is not always nor do they always abide in the same Situation but their stay is perpetual under the Zodiack And because the Planets wander in the Heavens viâ obliquâ therefore this Circle is made oblique and seing in this obliquity they make digression from this side to that side and from that to this therefore Astronomers have granted to this Circle Latitude whereby also it may be differenced from all other Circles none of which ever claimed Latitude The Zodiack is divided first in relation to its Latitude into North Latitude and South Latitude North Latitude is that half part of the Zodiack which from the Ecliptick the middle Line of it declines toward the North. South Latitude is opposite to this Each one of them contains Eight Degrees whereof the Equinoctial contains 360. The Ecliptick or middle Line of the Zodiack is one of the Greatest Circles of the Sphere Moveable under which the Sun from West to East moves perpetually This Line as likewise the Zodiack is divided according to Longitude into twelve Parts which are called in Greek 〈◊〉 Every one of these twelve are subdivided into 30 parts so that the whole Zodiack contains 360 Degrees These twelve Divisions are called Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Cap●…s Aquarius Pisces But seing there are four Cardinal Points two of the Equinoctial and two Solstice Points it hath pleased Astronome●… to make the beginning of their reckoning from the Vernal Equinoctial Point because the Sun being there he not only begins the Spring but openeth the Earth and giveth life to all Vegetables and things which grow which cannot be done either in any of the Solstices or when he is in the Autumnal Equinoctial Point Next the distinction of the Signs is manifold For some of them are called Northern Signs and others are called Southern The Northern decline from the Equinoctial towards the North which are Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo The Southern decline from the Equinoctial towards the South which are Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Capricornus Aquarius Pisces Secondly Some of them are called Signs Ascending others are called Signs Descending The first sort are these wherein the Sun and the rest of the Planets do ascend from the South towards our Zenith which are Capricornus Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus Gemini The Descending are these wherein the Sun and the rest of the Planets do move from our Zenith towards the South which are Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Thirdly The Signs of the Zodiack are either Vernal Estival Autumnal or Hybernal The Vernal are Aries Taurus Gemini The Estival are Cancer Leo Virgo Autumnal are Libra Scorpius Sagittarius And the Hibernal are Capricornus Aquarius Pisces Fourthly The Signs are either Cardinal Middle or Fixed or Common or

up and down especially when the Wind blows very high Next Winds which come from the South and South-west by reason of much moistness which they bring alongs with them influenceth the Quicksilver much indeed But Northerly Winds which are more drying have less influence Nay Easterly and North east Winds even with Rain keep up the Mercury and suffers it not to fall down so far as other Winds Because such Winds come from the Great Continent bringing with them many Earthly Particles and Atoms which being dry have not that influence upon it as moist Winds from the South and West It may be inquired If the Weather-Glass doth foretell Winds as it doth Rain I answer It doth not so much foretell Winds as it is actually influenced by them Yet if a man were a diligent Observer of the Winds before they blow and took narrow inspection of the Weather-Glass he would surely foresee them approaching by some alteration or other in it It may be inquired Whether Mist or Fog doth affect the Weather-Glass I Answer Yes for I have observed when the Mercury has been up at Fair the falling down of a Fog hath brought it down three or four Degrees It may be inquired When the Mercury i●… at the highest Station in the fairest Weather as above Long Fair how many Days doth it prognostick Rain before it come I Answer When it first begins to alter it must fall down to Long Fair half an Inch next to Fair another half Inch. Thirdly To Changeable as much And lastly To Rain This Motion is slow and therefore it foretells sometimes three Days sometimes four sometimes less But this is sure it cannot fall down in one Day so much bounds nor in two neither in three I have seen it fall down from Long Fair to Fair and then halt by reason of some stirring Winds or by reason of some small change of Weather in some County near hand When it 's far up as at Long Fair or above it it is next to impossible that either Wind or Rain can be Some who are not acquaint with the Weather-Glass judge it erring when they see the Mercury at Rain and yet no Rain I confess it may be so if it be not rightly adjusted at the first setting up but if it be set according to Art the Mercury cannot be at Rain but there must be Rain either here or some place near hand It may be inquired If Snow and Hail have the same effects upon the Weather-Glass which Rain have I answer Yes for they are both from the same cause namely moist Vapors I have 〈◊〉 s the next adjacent Hills covered with Snow when there was neither Rain nor Snow in the Valley Countrey and the Mercury down at Rain tho it had been always up before the Snow fell And many times it is found that Rain falling in the next Shires or Counties tho none here have made the Quicksilver fall down to Rain The last year 1687 in November I have seen the Quicksilver below Much Rain and yet the Days going before or following have been pretty fair But the Weather was under a strong disposition and inclination to be Tempestuous and Stormy which soon followed 'T is observable that the Quicksilver is never so high in the Weather-Glass as about the hinder end of the Month of October or rather in the Winter Season In Rainy Years I have not seen the Mercury further up than Fair and that seldom Might the Weather-Glass be useful in Ships I answer Yes but the commotion of the Ship you say renders it useless I answer it might be so suspended that it might hang always perpendicular And tho this were not yet the Nature of it is such that it can recline without hurt as much as the Ship can●…ly either to Starboord or Larboord and fall right again when the Helm is righted In a word whatever advantage a man might have by it in his Chamber he may have as much by having it in his Cabin There is a person of Honour and great Learning who hath written lately in Natural Philosophy and among other things hath not omitted to shew the reason of this marvellous Phenomenon whereof I have been Treating He toucheth it briefly in 9 or 10 Lines and says Id autem mirum satis videtur c. 'T is a strange thing says he that in Rainy and Windy Weather when the Air seems to be heaviest yet the Mercury is furthest down The reason says he is taken from the temperament of the Air where the Clouds are for when the Clouds are grosser tho much elevated they intercept the Rays of the Sun and are thereby melted and turned into Rain And the Air being eased of the burden of these Clouds and being rarified above by the Sun-beams is becomes lighter and so bears less down the surface of the stagnant Mercury in the Cistern But when the Air is nubilous and Cloudy the weight of the Air is augmented by the weight of the Clouds which make it press with greater weight upon the stagnant Mercury in the Cistern I dare not oppose any thing to the Opinion of such an eminent man tho I might he being a hundred Stages beyond many Yet there are not some wanting who male-apartly set at nought his Philosophical System as insufficient both for Matter and Form whereas among all the Learned Abroad his Writings are held in great Estimation There is one of the Professors of Philosophy at Aberdeen whose publick Theses the last Year came to my view yet I shall adventure to say something anent them The Author whom I have not the favour to know seems to be well acquaint with the new Philosophy and a good Schollar He confutes rationally Malebranch and Spinosa two wild Philosophers He seems to be a Cartesian in his Philosophy yet affirms that the Demonstration as he calls it of God's Existence by the Idaea being abstract and Metaphysical goeth far beyond the capacity of the Vulgar and therefore being compell'd by Reason he averreth that the Apostle Paul reasons far better in the first to the Romans He speaks honourably of the late Lord President in confuting some of his Doctrine for which he deserveth more thanks for his good Estimation of him than for the strength of his Reasonings against him He hopes the Lord Stair will hold him excused if he do not acquiesce to his Decisions This seems to be jeastingly spoken Casting my Eye further thorow I found somewhat anent the Causes of Winds Tempests and Rain and the reason why the Atmosphere is sometimes lighter and sometimes heavier But he hath not touched the Nail upon the Head. Some Notes upon the Parisian Weather-Glass THere is a New Invention of a Weather-Glass which cometh from Paris facile est inventis addere set in a curious gilded Frame more specious to behold than profitable and useful It is lyable to several Abatements The first makes it a dumb Weather-Glass wanting the whole Theory of the Weather so that