Expression and Manner of Description of Regions aswell in the finding out the Angle of position as Translation of places formerly found out into the Globe or Chart. Chap. 4. Speciall which contains the distinctioâ— of a place into Sea whose description is called Hydrography in which we are to consider the Adiuncts of the Sea which are either Internall which are inbred in the Nature of the Sea which againe are either Absolute such as agree to the Sea without any comparison of it with the Land Here we obserue in the water of the Sea 1 The Figure and Quality Chap. 5. 2 The Motion Naturall and Violent Chap. 6. Comparatiue which concerne the Depth Situation and Termination of the Sea Chap. 7. Externall which concerne Sea-Trafficke and Marchandize Chap. 8. Land which we terme Pedography whose Accidents are either Naturall which are againe diuided into Perpetuall such as ordinarily agree to the earth these againe are either Absolute wherein we haue no respect vnto the Sea Here we consider the Nature 1 Of riuers fountaines and lakeâ— Chap. 9. 2 Of mountaines vallieâ— and plaine-Regions woody and champion Countreyes Chap. 10. Comparatiue wherein we consider the Termination of the Sea with the Land Chap. 11. Casuall which seldome fall out such as are Inundations and Earth-quakes Chap. 12. Ciuill which concernes the Inhabitants of any place in whom we consider the Originall or off-spring Chap. 13. Disposition which is varied either accorâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 1 Site in respect of the Heauens Chap. 14. 2 Soyle Chap. 15. GEOGRAPHIE THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. Of Topographie and the nature of a place IN the former Treatise by Gods assistance wee haue treated of the Sphericall part of Geographie It will in the second place seeme conuenient to speake of the Topicall part of it 2 The Topicall part teacheth the description of the Terrestriall Globe so farre forth as it is diuided into places The nature of Topographie whereof we are to treat in this second part is discouered vnto vs not only in the name which promiseth a description of places but also in the differences set downe by Ptolomy himselfe betwixt the Sphericall and Topicall part the former of which hee cals Geographie and latter Topographie whereof wee haue spoken at large in the first Chapter of our former booke Here onely wee will note this one distinction that Tâ—â—ograhie may bee tâ—ken either more generally or specially Generally we may take it so farre foorth as it discouers vnto vs either the whole world and all his parts or at least some great and principall parts such as is an Empire Region Kingdome or such like More specially and particularly it hath vsually beene taken for the description of a very small place whose situation in respect of the heauens is not noted but of the parts one to the other such as are Cities Burrowes Townes Castles Lakes and Riuers The former whereat wee chiefly aime cannot well bee performed without the vse of the Sphericall part That latter we will more sparingly touch being an infinite taske in the whole earth to descend to all particulars which come in our way yet shall wee not altogether omit or neglect such circumstances in their due places so farre foorth as wee can leauing the rest to such Topographers who spend their stocke in the description of some particular place or Region whereof this our Age hath produced many deseruing high commendations This Science was anciently adorned by Homer Anâ—â—imander Milesius Haecataeus Democritus Eudoxius Dicaearchus Euphorus as wee finde in Straboes first booke to which afterward succeede Eratosthenes Polybius Possidonius and diuers others Which part requires little or small knowledge in the Sciences Mathematicall but challengeth more affinity with the Physicall and Politicall part of Philosophie and therefore is more subiect to popular vnderstanding then the former and may without it affoord some profit to the Reader 3 The Topicall part is either generall or speciall The generall is that which handles the generall Adiuncts of a place 4 A place is a superficiall space of the Terrestriall Globe fitted for habitation To the constitution of a place as it is here Topographically taken there ought to be a concurrence of two things which we may call Matter and Forme The Matter is the space contained or superficiall platforme of the earth whereon wee dwell The forme is the capability or aptnesse of it for habitation both which concurring together are conceiued to make a place such as wee here Topographically vnderstand for here wee vnderstand not a place Physically for the receptacle of a naturall body in which sense the Heauens and all the elements are said to haue their naturall places Neither yet Geometrically for a plaine whereon a line or figure may bee drawne but Topographically for the vpper face of the earth whereon people or other liuing creatures may inhabite This place as appeares by reason and holy Scriptures was more ancient then habitation For whereas in the first Masse the earth was inueloped with waters on euery side affording no place for dwelling Almighty God is said afterwards to haue separated and parted the waters from the dry land making the one a Receptacle for Fishes and such creatures of the deepe the other for a dwelling place for mankind and such creatures as breath vpon the land yet hath hee so prouided in his diuine wisdome that neither the Inhabitants of the land can well want the Sea nor the liuing creatures in the Sea want the land The one appeares in that wee are inforced to make vse of the sea not onely for â—ood and nourishment whereof a great part consisteth of fish but also for our Traffique and commerce with forraine Nations which is better effected by Sea then Land-voyages The latter is as easily shewed in that the fishes of the Sea deriue not onely their composition but also their proper nourishment from the land whereof wee shall haue more occasion to speake hereafter Now wee are moreouer to consider that a place may bee taken in a double sense first more largely for any place wherein a creature may liue for longer or shorter time Secondly more strictly for such a space of earth whereon mankinde may conueniently reside or dwell The former comprehends not onely the land but also the water for experience shewes that men in ships may for a time reside and dwell on the backe of the maine Ocean But the latter betokening a continuance of habitation is onely agreeable to the land Which sense howbeit it be more consonant to the common vse of speech yet for methode sake wee are inforced to vse the former vnderstanding by habitation not onely a place of conuenient residence but any other whereon a creature for a time may breathe and liue 1 The Terrestriall Spheare is euerywhere habitable It was an ancient opinion as we haue formerly touched that the earth was not euerywhere habitable namely in the Intemperate Zones whereof the one was placed in the middle of the earth
there was any wind to driue and enrage the Waters is very vnlikely because it is said that God caused a wind to passe vpon the Earth and the Waters ceased so that there was no wind till the Waters sanke Lastly wee may argue from a finall cause that this inequality in the superficies of the Earth was before the flood because it is certaine that all things were in as good or better estate then now with vs and that the Earth was adorned with all varieties of creatures as well for profit as delectation Now it is found by experience that all commodities agree not to all places but some are found in the mountaines at all sorts of mettalls mineralls Plants Vegetalls for the most part prosper best in the vallies and plaines Also that the mountaines serue for a shelter to guard the vallies from the rigor of cold and wind both for the better conueniencie of mans life and encrease of fruits for the vse of man Whence we may conclude that it is farre more probable that the great Mountaines were so created in the beginning and not made by the flood yet can wee not deny but that some small Hillockes might be made by the flood and afterward by the industrie of man which haue raised great fortresses and bulworks which afterward decaied were made great heaps of Earth as we see many in this land but this is of small note not worthy consideration in comparison of the great mountaines of the Earth whereof we especially treat 2 The perpendicular height of the highest mountaines seldome exceeds 10 furlong This proposition depends on the authority of Eratosthenes a famous Mathematician who being employed by his King found out by Dioptrick Instruments the height of the highest mountaines not to exceed the quantity aboue specified Cleomedes extends this a little farther and would haue some mountaines to attaine the height of 15 furlongs of which height he would haue an high rock in Bactriana called by Strabo 11 libro Sisimitrae Petra But yet if we credit Pliny on Dicaearchâ—â— who measured the Mountain Pelion accoÌ„pted the highest he found it not to exceed 1250 paces which make 10 furlongs and Solinus relates the mountaines of Thessaly to be higher then else-where are to bee found But this opinion howsoeuer supported by the authority of the ancient and famous Mathematicians hath been called in question as well by moderne as ancient writers Many matters are miraculously or rather fabulously spoken of the Mountaine Athos in Macedonia of Cassius in Syria and another of the same name in Arabia of the mountaine Caucasus and others which Histories notwithstanding are related by no meaner Authors then Aristotle Mela Pliny and Solinus yet it is not hard to imagine that these Authors might bee deceiued in those times either trusting to other mens relations or wanting Mathematicall instruments to search these matters Of the Mountaine Athos it is much wondred at that it should cast a shadow from Macedonia into the market-place of Myrhina a towne of the Iland Lemnos distant from Athos 86 miles But this as our learned Countriman Mr Hues well obserues can bee no great argument of such a miraculous height because the mountaine Athos situate East from Lemnos as may be gathered from Ptolomies Table may without any great wonder cast a very long shadow the Sunne either rising or setting Other matters are related of this mountaine Athos more strange then the former to wit that it should in hight transcend the Region of the raine and wind which they would striue to confirme out of an old tradition that the ashes heaped together on certaine Altars built on the top thereof were nener blowne away but remained in the same manner as they were left to which may be added out of Strabo that they who inhabit the top of this mountaine can see the Sunne 3 houres before those who inhabit neere the sea The like is reported by Aristotle of the Mountaine Caucasus that for the extreame height the top of it enioyes the Sun-beames a third part of the night Litle lesse is spoken by Pliny and Solinus of the mountaine Cassius in Syria and by Pomponius Mela of the mountaine Cassius in Arabia But how fabulous and incredulous these things are Petrus Nonius and other Mathematicians haue sufficiently demonstrated out of the grounds of Geometry more absurd by farre seemes that which Eustathius reports of Hercules pillars celebrated by Dionysius Perieges for their admirable height whereas they are found not to exceed 100 ells making one furlong a height according to Strabo not exceeding the Aegyptian Pyramides and comming short of certaine Indian trees neare the Riuer Hyarotes whose Meridian shadowes reach 5 furlongs These errours in the ancient might seeme veniall had they not bin seconded by latter writers Of the Mountaine Tenariffe in the Canaries Scaliger is bold to report out of other mens relations that it riseth in height aboue 15 leagues which make 60 miles but Petricius more bold then he would haue it 70 miles Litle lesse is spoken of Pico amongst the Azoris Inâ—ulâ— and the Mountaine Andi in Peru But to confute these relatioÌ„s we will vse this argument It is reported by the Spanish writers which haue spoken of this place that the topps of these Mountaines scarce any one or two moneths in the yeare are free from snow Now that snow should bee ingendred aboue 60 or 70 miles aboue the ordinary plaine of the Winter or Earth is against the iudgmeÌ„t of our best Astronomers because as they haue obserued out of Eratosthenes measure the highest vapors seldome reach so farre as 48 miles in height euery way from the Earth This argument may as well serue to confute these ancient opinions before mentioned had they not been so fabulous as scarce to deserue any solide confutation 3 The ordinary height of the Land aboue the Sea in diuerse places is more then the hight of the highest Mountaines aboue the ordinary face of the Earth We haue probably shewed out of former grounds that as the ordinary height of the Earth is answerable to the ordinary depth of the Sea so the hilles and mountaines in proportion answere to the whirle-pooles and extraordinary Gulphes of the Sea but it is to be imagined that the depth of the Sea in the maine Ocean is farre more below the superficies of the Earth then those other whirle-pooles and Holes extend themselues below that depth But to proue this by a more sensible argument we will compare the one with the other so farre forth as Mathematicians by experience haue guessed for it is found by Mathematick Instruments as wee haue proued in the precedent Theoreme that the highest Mountaines seldome or neuer mount vpward aboue ten furlongs which is an English mile and a quarter but the hight of the Land in some places where appeare no such hills is obserued to be much more to proue which assertion we can haue no fitter argument then the fresh Springs
Spheare the Inclinatory Needle shall conforme it selfe in a Parallell-wise to the Axell of the Earth through that place passeth the Equinoctiall Line As to finde out the Meridian of any place wee are to vse the helpe of the Directory Needle so to the finding out of the Equatour and Parallels the Inclinatory Needle is most necessary because the former respects the Magneticall Motion of Direction the latter of Declination Now wheresoeuer wee shall see the Needle to conforme it selfe in such sort as it may lie Parallell with the Axell of the Earth we may assure our selues that such a place is vnder the Equinoctiall Circle The reason whereof wee haue giuen in our 3 Chapter out of the CoÌ„uertible nature of the Magnet and here needs no repetition only wee will insert this one figure wherein the line CD drawne through the Centers of two Inclinatory Needles lying Parallell to the Axell of the Earth A. B. will expresse this Equinoctiall line which wee here seeke For the Magneticall Inclinatory Needle being set in a Frame or Ring made for such a purpose will vnder the Equator respect one Pole no more then another but lie leuell with the Plaine of the Horizon as vnder the Poles it will make right Angles with the Plaine of the Horizon In the middle spaces betwitxt the Equatour and the Poles it will conforme it selfe in such sort as it makes certaine Angles with the Axell of the Earth though not equall yet proportionall to the Latitude out of which an ingenious Artificer may deduce the Parallels of any place without any obseruations of the Heauens as is taught by Instruments inuented by Gilbert Ridley and diuers others which haue vndertaken this subiect 16 Of the Inuention of the Equatour wee haue spoken In the site we ought to consider the placing of the Equator in respect of the world 1 The Equatour is an vnmoueable Circle whose Poles neuer vary from the â—ixt Poles of the world Whether the Poles of the Equator haue been any times varied from the Poles of the world is a controuersie which hath exercised the greatest wits Ioseph Scaliger trusting as it seemes more to ancient History then Moderne experiment seemes in two Epistles not only to make a doubt whether the Poles of the Equatour haue continued the same with the Poles of the world but superâ—iliously as the manner of most criticks is rather out of coniecture then Reason to taxe the common opinion of manifest errour and absurdity The ground and originall of this doubt growes out of the obseruation of the fixt Stars which haue since the Times of the Ancients beene found to bee moued out of their places or at least not to retaine the same points in the Period of the Sunnes Motion The chiefest Instances are taken from the stars in the Hornes of Aries which in Hyparchus time which liued aboue 60 yeeres before Ptolomy were obserued to bee not much distant from the Equinoxe and before him in the very point it selfe but in our time remoued about 28 Degrees off Also it is obserued in the Cynosure or Pole-star that in Hyparchus time it was distant from the Pole about 12 Degrees which wee finde in our time to bee scarce 3 Degrees distant To salue this Apparence Ptolomy inuented a slow motion of the Starry Heauen or Firmament whereby the Fixt stars might bee remoued farther off from the Equinoctiall points in the Eclipticke whence of a consequence the Pole-starre should not keep the same position in respect of the Pole it selfe but vary his site according to the Motion which opinion hath a long time passed without contradiction till Copernicus out of new grounds sought for this Motion in the Earth to which hee assigned no lesse then three Motions Since Copernicus arose Ioseph Scaliger who contradicting the common receiued grounds and yet for ought I see not trusting to the suppositions of Copernicus would bring in another opinion to wit that the Stars of the Firmâ—ment are not moued from the point of the Equinoxe but rather that the point is carryed away from the stars The decision of this point I dare not vndertake better becomming the learned and industrious endeauours of our worthy Professours M. Doctour Bainbrigge and M. Henry Brigges as best suiting with their Learning and Profession Ipse semipaganus ad sacra vatum carmen offero nostrum Neuerthelesse as a Learner for mine owne satisfaction I would willingly enter a little into conference with this great and admired Oracle Ioseph Scaliger to sound the certainty of his grounds That the Pole-starre saith hee was so far distant from the Pole as 12 Degrees was no true obseruation but the errour of Hyparchus who afterwards by his authority deceiued Ptolomy and He Posterity The Reasons hee alleadged are 1 Because Eudoxus which was more ancient then Hyparchus obserued the same star to bee in no other place then where now it is 2 Because that greater light of Astronomy Copernicus perceiuing the Equinoxes and Solstitiall points to be moued was enforced to inuent other grounds but because his demonstrations depended only on the Apparences hee sought out this effect in the motion of the Earth If it were manners to oppose so great a Scholler as Ioseph Scaliger I would aske a few questions why we should not credite the obseruations of Hyparchus Ptolomy and all posterity as well as of Eudoxus sith Antiquity without consent approbation is no great argument of truth Neuerthelesse if the matter be well examined we shall perhaps find Antiquity to be more firme on our side The same reason as I take it may be giuen for the stars in the Hornes of Aries as of the Pole-starre because all the fixt-starres by the consent of all are imagined to keep the same vniforme site among themselues in such sort as the varying of some would disorder all the rest at least argue the like variety or change of all Now to proue the stars of Aries to haue beene varyed many of the Ancients as Master Hues hath obserued liuing in diuers times haue confirmed The first star of Aries which in the time of Meto Atticus was obserued in the Vernall Intersection in the time of Thales Milesius was before it 2 Degrees in Tymocharis age it was after it 2 Degrees 24 Minutes In Hipparchus time 4 Degrees 40 Minutes in Abbumazars 17 Degrees 50 Minutes in Albarens 18 Degrees 10 Minutes in Arzachels 19 Deg. 37 Min. in Alphonsus his time 23 Deg. 48 Min In the time of Copernicus and Rheticus 27 Degrees 21. Min. In our time about 28. Against all these Testimonies if we should oppose the Testimony of Eudoxus and Scaâ—iger wee should bee thought very partiall to preferre them before the consent of Antiquity Eudoxus though very Antient being but one and the other one of the last If any should obiect that Eudoxus spake onely of the Pole-starre and not of the stars in the hornes of Aries I answere as before that the same reason is to bee
seeming together to terminate the end of the Earth and protension of the sight What the Semidiameter of this Horizon should bee hath not beene yet agreed vpon by all Erastothenes would haue it to bee 44 miles Macrobius 23. Proclus 250. Albertus Magnus 125. These differences seeme too great to admit of reconcilement yet taking into our consideration the disparity in account of miles betwixt the Moderne and Ancient Cosmographers as also betwixt the Greekes and Latines 2 the diuerse placing of the sight◠the various disposition of the places wherein they tooke their obseruations with other circumstances wee should diminish much of admiration But diuerse others whose opinion is more approued by moderne Cosmographers haue defined it to be about 63 miles The cause why this Horizon should bee so little in respect of the Rationall which passeth by the Center is the roundnesse of the earth interposed betwixt the sight and the farther parts which we haue formerly proued 3 The eye may be so placed on the Earth as it may behold the whole Hemispheare of the heauens and yet no part of the Terrestriall Spheare This may seeme a paradoxe with vulgar iudgement but it wants not a demonstration drawne from Astronomicall and Opticke principles To explaine which we must suppose out of the grounds already granted 1 That the Sensible and Rationall Horizon in respect of the Heauens ought to bee esteemed one and the selfe same by reason of the great distance and disproportion betwixt the Earth and the Firmament 2 That the eye of the beholder is in this sort supposed to bee in the Center because in this consideration the distance betwixt the superficies of the Earth and her Center is insensible 3 That the visuall Ray wherein the sight is carried is alwayes a right line Now suppose according to our former figure the Center of the eye wherein consists the sight to be in the point of the Terrestriall surface F the distance as wee said betwixt F and E the Center being insensible the eye is imagined in the center likewise the Horizons CFD and AEB for the same cause in respect of the Heauens are to bee esteemed one and the same because CA and DB haue no sensible difference It is then manifest that the eye so placed will behold in the heauenly Spheare all which is included betwixt A and B to wit the Hemispheare AGB bounded by the Rationall Horizon AEB Neuerthelesse in the Terrene Globe it can see nothing at all For either it should see onely the point F wherein it is seated or else some other point or part distant from it the former cannot bee admitted because the eye being there supposed to bee placed should according to this supposition behold it selfe which is against philosophy For granting the sense only a direct and not a reflexe operation it cannot bee imagined how it should perceiue it selfe Finally it cannot see any point in the Earth besides for then this point would either bee placed aboue the point F but this cannot bee because F being supposed in the superficies admits of no point higher in the Spheare or else vnder it but this cannot bee because CFD being a tangent line and touching the Spheare in F only there cannot according to Geometricall principles bee drawne any right line from the point F which can touch any point in the said Spheare but all will cut it and so the section cause impediment to the sight the Earth being an opacous and round body 4 From the Horizontall circle is reckoned the eleuation of the Pole in any place assigned The finding out of the eleuation of the Pole is a matter most necessary for a Cosmographer as shall appeare after where we shall speake of the Latitudes and Climates It is defined to bee an arch of the Meridian betwixt the Horizon and the Pole For the finding out of which many wayes haue beene deuised by Artificers The first is taken from the Sunne the second from the Pole-starre From the Sun it may bee performed two wayes 1 At the time of the Equinoxe 2 At any other time of the yeere At the time of the Equinoxe it may be found out by the obseruation of the Sunnes shadow at Noone-tide in this manner Let the Meridian height of the Sunne bee subtracted from the whole quadrant which is 90 degrees there will remaine the distance of the Zenith to the Equator which is equall to the eleuation of the Pole In the second place at any time of the yeere to know the eleuation of the Pole out of the Meridian height of the Sunne it is necessary out of an Ephimerides or any other way accurately to finde out the place of the Sunne in his Eclipticke for the day proposed together with his declination for the declination of the Sunne the Sunne being in the six Northerne signes subtracted from the Meridian altitude or added the Sunne being in the six Southerne signes will precisely giue the height of the Equator or which is the same the Meridian heigth of the Sun in the Equinoctiall which being once found we may worke as in the former By the Pole-starre wee may likewise find it out if wee obserue it three distinct times in the same night for three points being giuen euery Geometrician will finde out the Center which in this case must bee the Pole Many other wayes haue beene inuented by skilfull Astronomers which appertaining rather to Astronomy then Cosmography I purposely omit 24 Concerning the Horizon two things are chiefly to bee noted the Inuention and the Distinction The Inuention is considered either as it concernes the Zenith or Pole or the Plaine of the Horizon For both which we will set downe these Rules 1 The height of the Pole subtracted from the quadrant of 90 Degrees the residue will shew the Zenith or distance of the Zenith from the Pole The reason is euident because the height of the Pole together with the distance of the Pole and the Zenith make an arch which is a whole quadrant so that the height of the Pole subducted the distance will remaine as for example if wee put the eleuation of the Pole here in Oxford to be 51 ½ degrees or thereabout as hath been formerly taught Let these 51 ½ degrees bee subtracted from 90 then will remaine 38 ½ which is the true Zenith for that place 2 A line which makes right angles with a plummet perpendicularly falling on it will designe the Horizontall plaine The practise of the proposition is vsually shewed by Artificers by a certaine instrument called a Leuell which is made in a triangle forme from the vertex or head of which a line with a plummet fals on the Basis. Now when it shall bee found to be so placed that the line and plummet falling on the Basis shall make right Angles with it and cut the whole Triangle into two equall halfes wee may account the Base-line to bee the plaine of the Horizon For of this plaine such is the position
Tropicke we account 23 degrees which added and resolued into miles will make the said summe within the compasse of this Zone is situate the greatest part of Africke especially that of the Abyssines which common opinion with little probability would haue to bee the Empire of Prester Iohn also many Ilands as Iaua Summatra Taprobana besides a great part of the South of America called Peruana It was imagined by the Ancients as Aristotle Pliny Ptolomy and many other Philosophers Poëts and Diuines that this Zone through extreame heat was altogether vnhabitable for which cause they called it Intemperate The reason of this coniecture was drawne from the situation of this part in regard of that of the heauens For lying in the middle part of the world the Sunne must of necessity cast his rayes perpendicular that is to say at Right Angles Now according to the grounds of Peripateticke Philosophy the Idol of this age the heat deriued from the Sunne ariseth from the reflexion of the Sunne-beames against the surface of the Earth Wherefore the heat was there coniectured to bee greatest where the reflexion was found to bee greatest But the greatest reflexion according to all Mathematicians must be in this Torrid Zone where the Sunne darts forth his Rayes at right Angles which reflect backe vpon themselues Which false coniecture was a long time continued by the exuberant descriptions of Poëts and defect of Nauigation hauing as yet scarce passed her infancy But how farre these surmises come short of truth wee shall declare in our second part to which wee haue reserued those Physicall and Historicall discourses concerning the qualities and properties of the Earth 7 The Intemperat cold Zones are those which are included betwixt the Polar circles and the Poles whereof the one is Northerne contained in the Arcticke circle the other Southerne in the Antarcticke These two Zones are not made out of the combination of two circles as the former but by one circle with relation to the Pole The greatnesse and extent of this Zone is about 23 degrees and a halfe which resolued into Italian-miles will produce 1380. The Northerne cold Zone containes in it Groenland Fineland and diuerse other Northerne Regions whereof some are partly discouered and set out in our ordinary Maps other some not yet detected For the other Zone vnder the Antarticke Pole it consists of the same greatnesse as wee know by the constitution of the Globe hauing other such accidents correspondent as the Northerne so farre forth as they respect the Heauens For other matters they lye hid in the vast Gulph of obscurity this port hauing neuer yet for ought I know exposed her selfe to the discouery of the Christian world Whether these two Zones be without habitation by reason of intemperate cold as the other hath been thought by reason of too much heat wee shall in due place examine 8 The Temperate Zone is the space contained betwixt the Tropicke the Polar circle whereof the one is Northerne contained betwixt the Tropicke of Cancer and the Articke circle the other Southerne comprehended betwixt the Tropicke of Capricorne and the Antarcticke circle Why these Zones are tearmed Temperate diuerse reasons are alleaged 1 Because the Sun-beames here are cast obliquely on the surface of the earth and by consequence cannot produce so much heat as in those places where they are darted perpendicularly if wee only consider the constitution and site of the heauens For as we shall hereafter proue this may sometimes be altered by the disposition of some particular place 2 It may be called the Temperate Zone because it seemes mixt of both extreames partaking in some measure the both qualities of heat and cold the one from the Torrid the other from the Frigid Zones 3 Because in these Zones the distances betwixt Summer and Winter are very remarkable hauing a middle difference of time betwixt them as compounded of both extreames These temperate Zones included betwixt the Tropicks and the Polar circles are twofold as the circles The northerne temperate Zone comprehended of the Tropicke of Cancer and the Articke circle containes in it the vpper and higher part of Africke stretching euen to the mountaine Atlas Moreouer in it is placed all Europe euen to the Northerne Ilands in the Articke Zone and a great part also of Asia the other temperate Zone lying towards the South is not so well knowne being farre distant from our habitation and awaiting as yet the farther industry of our English and Dutch Nauigators The bredth of this Zone as the other containes about 43 degrees which is the distance betwixt the Tropicke and the Polar circle which multiplied by 60 will be resolued into 2580 Italian-miles 1 The Torrid Zone is the greatest of all next are the two Temperate Zones the cold Zones the least of all The Torrid Zone is found to be greatest as well in regard of longitude as latitude and is diuided by the Equatour into two halfes the next are the Temperate but the two cold Zones howsoeuer equall in Diameter to the Torrid are notwithstanding least of all where is to bee noted that euery Zone is of the same latitude from North to South beginne where we will because it is contained betwixt two equidistant circles but all inioy not the same longitude from East to West For the parts of euery Zone by how much neerer they are to the Equatour so much greater longitude will they haue by how much neerer the Poles they are so much the lesse longitude for as much as the Parallels towards the Poles grow alwayes lesser and lesser The inuention of the quantity of the Zones before mentioned may briefly thus bee performed The latitude of the torrid Zone is so much as the distance betwixt the Tropickes which is Astronomically grounded on the greatest declination of the Sunne being doubled This declination being by Clauius and others found to be 23 degrees 30 scrup which being doubled will produce 47 which againe multiplied by 60 and resolued into miles will amount to 2820 though the odde scruples of many Authors are neglected The latitude of the cold Zones is also drawne from the greatest declination of the Sunne For the distance of the Pole circles from the Pole it selfe is iust so much as the declination of the Eclipticke from the Equatour to wit of 23 degrees 30 scrup to which answer according to the former Rule 1420 Italian-miles The inuention of the latitude of the temperate Zones depends from the subtraction of the distance of the Poles of the Eclipticke from the Equatour that is from the greatest declination of the Sunne being doubled from the whole quadrant in which subduction the residue will be 43 to which will answer 2580 Italian-miles 1 The Zone wherein any place is seated may bee knowne either by the Globe or Geographicall Table or else by the Tables of Latitude By the Globe or vniuersall Mappe wee may know it by the diligent obseruation of the foure equidistant circles For if wee
by halfe houres so the Parallels by quarters as we haue shewed and shall more fully explaine in this Chapter 2 The Climates compared one with the other are not all of the same greatnesse Although the Climates are placed according to equall increase of dayes and nights yet suffer they a great inequality For no clime is equall to another in the same Hemispheare but are still greater then other by how much neerer they are to the Equinoctiall circle for the latitude of the first Climate is reckned to be about 8 degrees which make 480 Italian-miles but of the last not so many minutes as quarters of miles 11 In Terrestriall Climates two things are to be vnderstood 1 The Inuention 2 The Distinction The Inuention teacheth the manner how to find out in what Climate any place lieth The finding out of any climate depends vpon the obseruation of the length of the day for the length of the day being once known the Climate will also bee found out by this Rule 1 Double the houres aboue 12 and the Product will shew the Climate The reason of this rule is intimated before to wit that the climates are distinguished the one from the other by the space of halfe an houre of the longest day Now the dayes vnder the equatour are alwayes equall containing 12 houres in length from which towards the Pole they are increased by degrees wherefore the number of the Climates must needs bee double to the number of houres aboue 12 as for example if I should find out in what Climate England is situated I find the length of the longest day to be about 18 houres which is six houres more then 12 this I double and it will be 12 whence I collect that England is situated vnder the 12 Climate A more compendious way of finding out the Climate of any place is by a certaine Table wherein against euery Eleuation of the Pole is set the iust Climate which Table we shall insert hereafter Here must bee noted that this rule which wee haue taught is to bee vnderstood of the Climates as they are absolute in nature and not of Ptolomies Climates If any man would finde out the Climates of Ptolomie hee must first cast away three quarters of an houre which is 45 minutes because his Climates as wee shall shew beginne not immediatly from the Equatour but from the latitude of 12 degrees 12 Thus much for the Inuention the Distinction of Climates in Northerne and Southerne Climates both these againe are of two sorts either proper or improper 13 The proper Climates are those which are placed between the Equatour and the point neere the Polar circle The improper are those from the Polar circle to the Pole it selfe Wee must vnderstand that the climates are considered two manner of wayes 1 Absolutely in respect of the whole Terrestriall Spheare 2 Comparatiuely in respect of the knowne habitable part of the Earth According to the latter consideration the ancient Geographers haue otherwise distinguished the Climates then the new writers whence ariseth a great difference and confusion amongst them in defining the number of the climates For sometime they will haue a new climat put whensoeuer the day increaseth a quarter of an houre sometimes at halfe an houre sometimes at difference of an whole houre or day But the doubt is easily answered and reconciled by our former distinction for whereas they put the difference of climates to be halfe an houre it is to be vnderstood of these which are proper climates betwixt the Equatour and the Polar circle for it is certaine that beyond this circle the artificiall day increaseth not only by houres but by dayes weeks months so that another account must bee made of such climats then of the former But it hath been generally taken for those climates of the Ancients now the distinction of climates amongst the Ancients is of two sorts The first was of the Geographers before Ptolomy who placed the vttermost bound Northward in the 25th degree of Latitude or Eleuation and so made only seuen climates These 7 climates were all vnderstood to bee in the habitable parts wherein they were marked and designed out vnto vs by names taken from Citties Mountaines Regions and such like remarkable places where we are to conceaue that climate as neere as may bee guessed to runne through the middle of any such Region whereof it taketh its name But the better to vnderstand the Distinction of the climates as well with the Ancient as Moderne Cosmographers we will insert this following Theorem 1 In the placing and Number of the Climates and Parallels there is a great diuersity betwixt the Ancient and Moderne Geographers This hath been before mentioned but for better distinction we haue reserued the handling of these differences to this proposition which may serue as a Carollary to the rest First wee take it as granted that Ptolomy so appointed the Parallells out of which the climates must arise that he numbred 38 both wayes from the Equatour to wit 38 towards the South and so many towards the North. These Parallels he so distinguished that 24 he numbred by quarters of houres foure by halfe houres foure by whole houres and six by whole months Hence is it that Geographers say that a new Parallell is to be placed sometimes whereas the longest day increaseth by a quarter of an houre sometimes where it increaseth by a halfe sometimes by a whole houre sometimes by a whole moneth The first is to be vnderstood of those 24 Parallels which were deliuered by the Ancients before Ptolomy The second third and fourth of such as were vnknowne vnto those Ancients before Ptolomy To reduce all into order we will set downe this distinction The distinction of the Climats is either ancient or new The Ancient was againe twofold either former or latter The former was that which was set downe before Ptolomies times wherein there were assigned seuen Climates according to the common opinion though Mercator grants but 5 These Authours placed their Northerne bound in the 25 degrees or eleuation The later distinction was almost the same but somewhat corrected by Ptolomy who placed 9 Climates towards the North. The first passed by Meroe a Citty of Ethiopia where the longest or Solstitiall day is 13 houres The second by Siene in Egypt where the longest day is 13 ½ The third by Alexandria in Egypt where the longest day is 14 houres the 4th by the Iland of Rhodes where the longest day is of 14 ½ The fift by Rome where they haue the length of the longest day 15 houres The sixt by Pontus where the longest day is 15 ½ houres The seauenth by the mouth of Boristhenes where the longest day is of 16 houres Neuerthelesse some haue drawne the 6 Climate by Boristhenes in Sarmatia and the seauenth by the Riphaean mountaines Ptolomy to this number addes two more and so reckons them that the 8 should passe by the Riphaean mountaines and the 9 by Denmarke where
part of the Earth because such as dwell directly vnder the Equatour or either of the Poles although they may bee Antipodes agree not to that definition by reason the former are Antipodes only in opposite points of the Equatour the other of the Meridian Whether there were any Antipodes or no was made a question amongst the Ancients in so much that Saint Augustine in his booke de ciuitate Dei and Lactantius in his third booke of Institutions seemes stiffely to defend the contrary which opinion is supposed to grow out of their contempt or neglect of Mathematicall studies in those ages wherein the zeale to religion was most vnnecessarily opposed to Philosophie and the mistresse forsaken of her best hand-maides which ignorance of the Ancients was so farre deriued to posterity that in the yeere of our Sauiour 745 one Boniface Bishop of Mens was accused before the Pope Zachary Virgilius Bishop of Salisburg for heresy in that hee auerred there were Antipodes The matter being first preferred to the King of Bohemia and an appeale made vnto the Pope it happened that the honest Bishop for this assertion was flatly condemned for hereticall doctrine and inforced to recant his opinion yet is it wonderfull how such matters were thus decided for granting these two easie grounds First that the earth is Sphericall a proposition proued in their time 2 That euery place or at least two opposite places in the Terrestriall Spheare may bee habitable it must of necessity follow that such Antipodes must bee granted which makes me to imagine that Saint Augustine absolutely and grossely denied not the Antipodes because in setting downe the premises and grounds of our opinion hee seemed to vnderstand them too well to deny a necessary induction being a man of so great a wit and apprehension but questionlesse he thought that the Torrid Zone which by most of the Ancients in his time was reputed vnhabitable and vnpassable no man had yet set his foot in those remote parts beyond the line so that it seemed in him not to arise out of ignorance of the constitution of the earthly Globe but out of the receaued opinion of the Torrid Zone and the vast Ocean the one of which hee held vnhabitable the other vnpassable from whence also sprang vp an argument or rather an idle fancie that the Antipodes could not be admitted without granting another Sauiour and another kinde of men besides Adams posterity for if this coniecture had not taken place the Pope I suppose would neuer haue proued himselfe so ridiculous a Iudge as to haue condemned Virgilius for heresie As for Lactantius howsoeuer otherwise a pious eloquent Father the weakenesse and childishnesse of his arguments will to any indifferent reader discouer his ignorance in the very first rudiments of Cosmographie Here we may learne how farre religion it selfe is wronged by such who set her opposite to all her seruants But whatsoeuer the Ancients out of their glimring reason haue coniectured our times haue sufficiently decided this controuersie wherin such Antipodes are established both by reason and experience which matâ—er wee shall reserue to our second booke wherein we shall declare how farre and in what sense the Earth may bee tearmed habitable 1 Those which are to vs Perioeci are the Antoeci to our Antipodes our Antoeci the Periaeci to our Antipodes likewise our Perioeci are the Antipodes to our Antaeci This Proposition as a Corollary may by necessary consequence be deduced out of the precedent definition and be well expressed out of the constitution of the artificiall Globe and needs no farther demonstration 2 The Perioeci Antoeci and Antipodes are diuersly distinguished in respect of the celestiall apparences The proprieties of the Perioeci are chiefly foure 1 They haue the same eleuation of the Pole and therefore the same temper of the yeere and the same length of dayes and nights 2 They dwell East and West in regard one of the other 3 They haue contrary times of dayes and nights for when the one hath his Noone the other inioyes his mid-night likewise when the Sun with the one riseth it setteth with the other 4 They haue the same Zone Climate and Parallell but differ by a semicircle to wit 180 degrees To the Antoeci they haue likewise assigned 5 proprieties viz. 1 They inhabite the like Zones but in diuerse Hemispheares 2 They haue the same eleuation of the pole but not of the same pole because the one sees the pole Arcticke the other the pole Antarcticke equally raised aboue his Horizon 3 They haue Noone and Mid-night iust at the same times 4 They inioy the same temper of the Heauens 5 They haue the seasons of the yeere contrary For when the Southerne Antoeci haue their Summer the Northerne haue their Winter and contrariwise when the Northerne haue their spring these haue their Autumne To the Antipodes they haue allotted 3 Proprieties 1 That they haue the same eleuation of the pole though not of the same pole 2 They haue the same temper of the yeere and the same quantity of dayes and nights 3 They haue all the other accidents contrary For when the one hath Night the other hath Day when one Winter the other Summer when the one the Spring the other Autumne and contrariwise These accidents and proprieties here mentioned must be vnderstood in respect of the Heauens only The qualities arising from diuerse other Accidentall and particular causes in diuerse places of the Earth we shall differre vnto our second part CHAP. XI Of the Longitudes and Latitudes 1 THe distinction of the Terrestriall Globe according to certaine Spaces being formerly explaned we are now to treat of the Distinction of the said Spheare according to certaine Distances 2 A Distance here we vnderstand to be a direct line drawne betwixt two points in the Earth such a Distance is twofold either Simple or Comparatiue 3 The Simple Distance is taken from the two great circles to wit the Meridian or the Equatour which is either the Longitude or Latitude The diuision of Distances into the Simple or Comparatiue is most necessary for it is one thing for a place absolutely taken in it selfe to be distant from some fixt point or other in the Globe Another for two places to be compared betwixt themselues in regard of such a fixt point for as much as the former implies only the distance betwixt two points the other the distance of two such points or places in respect of the third These points from which such points are said to be distant are either found in the Meridian Circle from which the Distance is called Longitude or else in the Equatour whence we call it Latitude 4 The Longitude is the distance of any place Eastward from the first Meridian To vnderstand the better the Longitude we must consider that it may be taken two wayes either Generally or Specially In the former sense it is taken for the Distance of the whole Earth stretched from the West vnto the East
an Eclipse shall happen at some knowne place whereof you are well informed of the longitude Then must bee obserued by an Astrolable or other Astronomicall instrument at what houre this Eclipse begins at that place whereof you would willingly know the longitude If the Eclipse doe beginne in both places the selfe-same time you may assure your selfe that these two places differ not in longitude But if there be a difference in the time then must there be a difference in the longitude which to finde out you may in this sort proceed Take the lesser summe of houres out of the greater and there will be remaining either houres or minutes or both If there remaine houres then multiply the same by 15 if minutes diuide the same by 4 for in this account as wee haue taught 15. Degrees make an houre and adde the difference so found vnto the longitude if the Ecclipse appeare there sooner but if later subtract it from the longitude formerly knowne If there remaine any minutes after the diuision you must multiply those minutes by 15 and so shall yee haue the Minutes of Degrees To explaine this the better wee will take this familiar example from some of our later writers The longitude of Paris was set downe by Ptolomy to be 23 degrees now we may be informed by an Ephemerides that a certaine Eclipse of the Moone beginnes there 3 houres after midnight out of this I would willingly learne the longitude of Tubing a towne in Sueuia In this towne I obserue by some Astronomicall instrument at what houre the Eclipse there beginnes which I finde to bee at three of the clocke and 24 minutes after midnight Then by the subraction of the lesser number of time out of the greater I finde the remainder to be 24 minutes which diuided by 4. which makes one degree the quotient will bee 6. degrees and that is the difference which if you adde to the knowne longitude of Paris because the Eclipse begins there sooner then at Paris it will amount to 29 degrees wherby we may collect that the Longitude of Tubing is â—9 degrees To this rule for the most part are squared all Cosmographicall Tables of longitude but yet in this happen diuers errours 1. Because oftentimes in the Artificer there wants diligence in obseruing the right houre moment of the Eclipse 2. The diuers Epacts latitudes of the Moone are commonly neglected wherfore some haue thought it the best way if it were to be hoped that diuers exact Astronomers should at diuers places obserue the same Eclipse and so by conferring together according to the former Rule finde out the longitudes of those places But exact Astronomers cannot be so easily found in euery citie wherof we desire to know the longitudes or if there were such they keepe not alwaies such correspondency in friendship neither is an Eclipse of the Moone alwayes at command Neuerthelesse this way is not to bee despised because where better wayes are wanting wee must content our selues with what we finde 2 By a Clocke Watch or Houre glasse to finde out the longitude of a place This conclusion is to be performed in this manner You must get you a watch or clocke apt to runne if you can 24 houres this watch must you by the helpe of an Astrolabe rectifie and set iust at such time as you depart from the place where you are as bound to any other place whereof you desire to inquire the longitude during which time your diligent care must be to preserue your watch in motion without intermission being at last arriued at the place whereof you inquire the longitude you were best to stay till such time as the Index shall precisely point out some perfect houre At the same instant it must bee knowne by an Astrolabe what houre it is at the place where you are arriued for if your Astrolabe and Watch should both agree in one you might assure your selfe that there is no difference of longitude betwixt the place whence you came and the place whereto you are arriued For it is euident that in this sort your iourney hath beene either directly North or directly South vnder the same Meridian But if this differ either in houres or minutes they must be reduced vnto degrees in such sorâ— as we haue shewed in the former way Through which you may finde out the Longitude which you desire to know This inuention is by our Countryman Blundeuill ascribed to Gemma Frisius although I should take it to bee more ancient but whose inuention soeuer it was certainly it cannot but commend the Authour Peter Martyr in his Decades seemes to preferre this way before all the rest neuerthelesse in this I cannot assent to his opinion being one I had rather trust as an Historian then as a iudicious Cosmographer because the way cannot but admit of great vncertainty in so much as a Watch or Clocke will moue inequally being corrupted with rust especially on the Sea which alwayes abounds with moist vapours wherefore on the Sea some haue thought an Houre-glasse more conuenient which is true in comparison of the Watch but neither will the sands of an houre-glasse keepe alwaies the like motion If any certainty may bee this way it must bee by the helpe of the Automaton or perpetuall moueable of whose inuention we may sooner despaire then of finding out this conclusion 3 By the distance betwixt the Moone and some knowne Starre which is situate neere the Eclipticke the Longitude may be found out This way was taught by Appian illustrated by Gemma Frisius and Blundeuill to whose manner of explication wee haue for farther illustration added a figure of the Parallax whereon this inuention is grounded First then to shew this conclusion wee must first lay this ground that the Distances betwixt the Moone and other starres in the firmament are varied according to the difference of places In so much as two men liuing farre distant in diuers places of the earth beholding at one time the Moone and some other knowne fixt starre will not finde the like distance betwixt them whereof if any man doubt he may be informed by this figure Wee will imagine O to be the place of the Moone as seated in the lower Orbe G to bee the place of the fixt starre whose distance from the Moone is inquired E and F two stations and habitations of men dwelling on the earth whereof wee may imagine the one to bee in Europe the other in America It will be manifest that the inhabitant situate in F will behold the Moone in the point B and the said fixt starre in G because as the Optickes teach vs all things are seene in the places opposite to the eye so that the distance betwixt the Moone and the said starre will bee the Arch of the greatest Circle BG of the other side the inhabitants situate in E will behold the Moone by the ray EC in C. as likewise the said fixt starre G in the point G
many miles such places are distant one from the other For an example we will take the city Seuill on the Southmoâ—â— part of Spaine and Bilbao on the North-side the space betwixt those places being taken with a threâ—d or a compasse and applyed to one of the greater Circles will containe about 6 degrees which being multiplyed by 60 and so conuerted into Italian-miles will produce 360 and so many miles those Cities are to be esteemed distant the one from the other The end of the first Booke GEOGRAPHIE THE SECOND BOOKE CONTAINING the generall Topicall part thereof By NATHANAEL CARPENTER Fellow of Exceter Colledge in Oxford GENES 1. vers 10. And God called the Dry-land Earth and the gathering together of the waters called the Seas and God saw that it was good OXFORD Printed by Iohn Lichfield for Henry Cripps and are to be sold by Henry Curteyne Anno Domini M. DC XXXV TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE PHILIP EARLE OF MOVNTGOMERIE c. Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter and Steward of the famous Vniuersity of Oxford Right Honourable THis Geographicall Treatise consisting of two parts was in the very birth in such sort consecrated to your inestimable Brother as notwithstanding it so farre reserued it selfe to awaite your Honours fauour that Both may seeme as to share a part so to challenge the whole in my poore Industrie The Soule of man which some Philosophers imagine to be all in all all in euery part seemes to me no where better resembled then in your Generous Fraternity wherein the Soule of Heroicall Magnificence though Indiuided in it selfe so entirely communicates herselfe to either that both may seeme at once to enioy her presence while neither want If this my bold attempt in presenting to your Honours hands these vnworthy labours without any former reference might be interpreted intrusion it were enough for Ingenuity to pretend that your generous loue vnto our poore Colledge and the respectiue duty wherein the Colledge alwayes stands obliged vnto your Honour commands my pen beyond manners or ability Your affection to our house could no way expresse it selfe ampler then by trusting our custody with the charge of your choicest Iewell A Gentleman of that towardly wit and sweet disposition that Learning and Morality commonly reputed the daughters of time seeme in him scarce beholding to yeeres and to challenge a precedency before experience in so much that our ancient Mother markt out with all the Characters of age and declining weakenesse cherishing in her bosome this young darling seemes to resume her youthfull habit and triumph ouer Time and Ruines This happines amongst diuerse others vouchsafed by your Honour to the place for whose good opinion the best part of mine endeuours stand engaged hath encouraged my hopes to promise me your indulgent Acceptance of this slender piece long since intended and deuoted as my selfe vnto your seruice In which confidence fearing any longer to trespasse on your serious and high imployments endebted to your King and Countrey I humbly rest Your Honours in all duty and seruice to bee commanded NATHANAEL CARPENTER A TABLE OF THE SEVERALL Contents of the second Booke of Geography according to the speciall Theoreme CHAP. I. Of Topography and the Nature of a place 1 THe Terrestriall Spheare is euery-where habitable pag. 4 2 All places of the Earth haue suffered manifold mutation and changes as well in name as nature pag. 6 3 Places hauing long continued without habitation are seldome so healthy and fit for dwelling as those which haue beene in habited 11 CHAP. II. Of the generall Adiuncts of places 1 The manner how to measure the magnitude of a Region by the Diameter both according to breadth and length 15 2 Of the measuring of a Countrey by the circuite of it 17 3 The Measuring of a Countrey by the circuite is deceitfull and subiect to great errour 17 4 Those Regions are more exactly measured which partake of a plaine surface 19 5 How Countries are bounded 20 6 Naturall bounds are more certaine then Artificiall ibid. 7 Equall bounds containe not alwaies equall Regions 21 8 Of the quality of a Region ibid. 9 Speciall places are endowed with speciall Tempers and dispositions 21 10 Of the magneticall affections of a place as Variation and Declination 26 11 The magneticall variation is of no vse for the first finding out of the longitude yet may it serue to good purpose for the recognition of a place before discouered 27 12 The declination of a place being knowne the latitude may bee found yet not without some errour 29 13 Of the externall Adiuncts of the Aire belonging to a place ibid. 14 The disposition of the Aire Adiacent to a place depends chiefly on the Temperament of the soile 30 CHAP. III. Of the Adiuncts of a place in respect of the heauens 1 Places according to their diuerse situation in regard of the Heauens are diuersely affected in quality and constitution 34 2 Of the diuision of the Earth into the North and South Hemispheares 38 3 Northerne and Southerne places alike situate generally enioy a like disposition 39 4 The Northerne Hemispheare is the masculine the southerne the faeminine part of the Earth 40 5 Of the diuerse sections of the Hemispheares and the seuerall qualities belonging to them 43 6 Of the East and West Hemispheares 51 7 The Easterne Hemispheare is happier then the other 52 8 The difference of the East and West cannot worke any difference in two places by any diuersity of the heauens 53 9 Of the subdiuision of the Easterne and Westerne Hemispheares 54 10 Places situate towards the East in the same latitude are better then those places towards the West ibid. CHAP. IV. Of the manner of Expression and Description of Regions 1 Of the finding out of the Angle of position by some dioptricke Instrument at two or more stations 57 2 At one station by opticall obseruation to find out the situation of one place in respect of the other 59 3 Of the manner of translation of Regions into the Chart. 61 4 To set downe the Meridians and Parallels in a particular Chart. 62 5 How to set downe Cities Castles Mountaines Riuers c. in the Chart. 64 6 Of the fabricke of the scale of miles in the Chart. 65 7 The vse of the scale of miles set downe in the Chart. ibid. CHAP. V. Of Hydrography and the absolute adiuncts of the Sea of the figure and quality 1 Although the whole body of the water be sphericall yet it is probable that the parts of it incline to a Conicall figure 70 2 The water of the sea is salt not by Nature but by Accident 75 3 Seas absolutely salt are neuer frozen 79 4 The Water of the sea is thicker then the other Water 80 CHAP. VI. Of the motions of the sea 1 Of the ebbing and flowing of the sea and the causes thereof 82 2 All sâ—aâ— doe not ebbe and flow alike nor the same at all times
to Aristotles grounds being by a Tenne-fold proportion thinner then the Water Moreouer the Aire in these places seated in the superficies of the Earth and higher then other places and by consequent neerer the Sun should rather be rarified and thickned because heat is the greatest cause of rarefaction as we shall shew hereafter for the reasons alleaged for these opinions they are drawne only from the weaknes of their assertion which hold that Fountaines are deriued either from Raine water or from the Sea both which wee haue examined briefly and whereof wee shall speake hereafter The Schoole of Conimbra not vtterly reiecting all the former opinions haue vndertakeÌ„ to forgoe an opinion as it were partaking of all pretending to say something more when indeed they produce nothing besides the former Their assertion they haue set downe in eight propositions which I will faithfully set downe and then censure The first is that in subterranean places vnder the superficies of the earth is hid a great quantity of water distinguished into Riuers Ponds and Lakes This they proue from the daily experiment of such as diggs diuerse wells and deâ—pe trenches in the Earth Who many times vnder the Earth find not only many riuers and ponds but many times happen vpon so great abundance of Water that they can neither find the bottome or bounds thereof To this they add an experiment of Philip and Macedon recorded by Asclepiadorâ—â— who caused many men expert in digging of mettalls to be let downe into an old and forsaken mine to search out the veines of mettalls to see whether the couetousnesse of antiquity had left any thing to posterity These men vsing great lights are said to haue found nothing there but great and vast riuers and great receptacles of waters This they also labour to confirme by many and suddaine eruptions and breaking out of waters out of the earth whereof we shall haue occasion to speake more hereafter This first position howsoeuer in it selfe true enough seemes litle to the purpose but we will proceed to the second which is this That when God in the third day of the Creation seperated the waters into one place and hid it in the cauerns and secret receptacles of the earth at the same time dispersed into diuerse parts of the earth a great quantity of water by diuerse occult passages and channels whence comes that great masse of waters vnder the earth which is before mentioned This they seeme to perswade by reason for say they as the wise Architect of all for mans sake and the rest of liuing creatures for the vse of man hath discouered the dry land by restrayning all the waters into one place so it was most necessary that he should inwardly water the earth by which stones mettalls mineralls other such things in the bowells of the Earth should in time grow and increase Also that some water should from hence breake vp out of the Earth for diuerse causes hereafter specified Finally as Philo-Iudaeus affirmes for the continuation of the parts of the earth which otherwise might by drouth be seperated and diuided The third proposition grounded on the two former is this That many riuers and fountaines in diuerse places by Gods decree arise out of the earth by quantities of waters hid in the cauernes of the earth which they proue by reasons drawne from the vtility of such fountaines and riuers springing out of the earth Fourthly they defend that all fountaines and currents were not so made and appointed in the first Creation because Histories experience teach vs that many haue broken out of the ground afterwards whereof we shall haue occasion to speake hereafter Fiâ—tly they affirme that if the opinion of Aristotle be vnderstood of all fountaines and flouds it cannot be approued for asmuch as it seemes sufficiently declared in the third opinion how such riuers might be generated without such vapours as also because many arguments and places of holy Scriptures seeme to proue the contrary As also the foure Riuers of Paradice created in the beginning of the world cannot bee guessed to draw their originall from such vapours as Aristotle imagines to which accord many ancient Fathers vpon these places recited in that opinion whereas all riuers are thought to fetch their originall from the sea Sixtly for the credit of their master Aristotle they are constrained to auerre that although his opinion cannot be verified of all riuers and fountaines of the earth yet if it be restrayned to some such perpetuall currents it may haue probability For asmuch aswe are to beleeue that many such large cauerns and holes are hid vnder the earth in which no small quantity of vapours may be ingeÌ„dred This probability is greater in those riuers which are lesser in quantity then the greater for the reasons before shewed Seuenthly they affirme that it is absolutely to be beleeued that not only great riuers and currents are deriued from subterranean waters which haue originall from the sea but also lesse fountaines and springs for the most part challenge the same beginning whence they labour to proue by this reason that in very few places of the earth there is found so perpetuall and apt disposition of vapours vnder the ground as to nourish so many and so great currents of water Eightly say they it cannot be denied but that Waters aswell proceeding from raine as that which is generated of vapours in the cauerns of the earth sometimes may flow into fountaines and riuers What concernes Torrents bred of raine they haue recourse to the reasons of the first opinion for others they make it also probable because we see by experience that Vapours and Aire compassed about with earth are by reason of the cold enuironing it turned into water This is indeed the opinion of those subtill Iesuits of Conimbra wherein although they giue a flourish as if they would defend their master Aristotle on whom they comment yet meane they nothing lesse but indeed warily sticke to the other of the Diuines and ancient Fathers of the Church touching the deriuation of all 〈◊〉 from the sea Which opinion howsoeuer in it selfe most probable they know not how to manage and defend against opposition For whereas they suppose that in the first sepâ—â—tion of the sea from the dry-land a great quantity of water was dispersed into diuerse hollow places cauerns of the earth from whence Riuers are deriued and made they haue not in any probable manner expressed how this water should perpetually flow and feed so many great currents For first I would aske of these learned fathers whether the water inclosed in the bowells of the earth whence these springs are fed be higher or lower then the fountaines arising out of them If it be higher whether the Riuers are continually nourished on the old store or a new supply be daily made That so great riuers should bee maintained so many thousand yeares out of the old prouision is most improbable because the
For the other Inuention of letters howsoeuer it were by the Graecians ascribed to Cadmus as the first Inuentour because he was the man that first discouered it to the Graecians it is most certaine that it was as ancient as Seth And that Printing first came to vs from this Easterne part appeares by Iohn Guttemberg who brought it first out of the Easterne world Which art Conradus being instructed in brought the practise thereof to Rome which afterward one Gesnerus a French-man much bettered and perfected For howsoeuer amongst the Europaeans this inuention seemed but newly borne yet the Chinois had it before either the Aegyptians or Phaenicians When the Graecians had neither knowledg nor ciuility which is witnessed aboue a hundred yeares gone by the Spaniards and Portugalls Farther for the magnificence of those nations an argument may bee drawne from the History of Alexander the great who found more stately buildings and Cities in the little kingdome of Porus which lay side by side against the East-Indies then in all his former trauailes for in Alexanders time learning ciuility were not spread so farre west as Rome Neither did he esteeme of Italy any otherwise then of a barbarous and vnciuill place which made him to turne his army rather against Babilon and the east which seemed a farre worthier prize Moreouer Paulus Venetus shewes that letters and discipline was first borrowed from the easterne people without any returne of interest A third reason may bee from the extraordinary strength of those easterne people in most ancient times For it is reported by Diodorus Siculus out of Clesias that Semiramis the wife of Ninus not many discents from Noah brought an army to inuade India of three millions besides horses and waggoners Neither had Staurobates her aduersary smaller multitudes to encounter her which extraordinary strength and multitude of men could not possibly issue out of any Colony sent thither from the westerne parts And therefore it must needs follow that they had their first ofspring and originall in those easterne parts neere India Sundrie other reasons might bee alleaged but these I suppose will suffice to fortifie this assertion Then it is manifest that the first Plantation of nations begunne in the easterne parts of the Earth But where we shall place and define this Easterne part seemes a matter of greater difficulty then the other Sr Walter Rawleigh out of the premised arguments would seeme to proue that this first plantation was farre â—ast as farre as India neere which he would haue the Arke to rest to wit on the mountaine Caucasus lying betwixt India Scythia Notwithstanding the authority of the learned Author I find that the most ancient writers haue drawne the original of all nations soone after the flood from the Caldaeans or at least amongst all made them the first For confirmation of which opinion they vrge many strong arguments In the first place they vrge the testimony of Moses in the 11 of Genesis where speaking of the first assembly of people after the flood he relates that they came from the East into the plains of Shinaar in which place stood Babilon the chiefe seat of the Caldaeans To this they adde the testimony of Metasthenes Herodotus Câ—esias Xenophon which haue afterwards bin seconded by Diogenes Laertius Philo Porphyry in a certaine epistle to Boethus Clemens Alexandrinus in Stromatis Eusebius de Euangelica demonstratione Theodoretus lib 1. de Graecarum affectionum ouratione Rabbi Moyses Maymonis filius lib 3. cap. 30. Perplexorum with almost all the Interpreters of the Hebrewes All which with vniforme consent haue affirmed that Ciuility Arts and sciences deriued their first descent from the Caldaeans Hence they faigne that Prometheus being a Caldaean for that he recalled men from a wilde life to a more ciuill conuersation and taught the regular motion of the starrs and planets before vnknowne stole fire from heauen and animated men formed out of clay with a caelestiall soule But aboue all which may be collected in this kind no small argument may bee drawne from the markes and footesteppes of the Hebrew and Chaldy tongues which in no mixture of tongues or processe of time could euer be abolished For this being the first of all other languages was preserued by Abraham and his posterity And challengeth antiquity before euer the Latin or Graecian tongues had any memory in so much as all the ancient nations of the world are found in most of their originall names of Gods peoples Princes and places to make vse of the Hebrew or Chaldey tongues differing onely in dialect which without manifest wresting and absurdity cannot well be deriued from other latter languages The first father of the people of Europe was Iaphet the sonne of Noah according to the ioynt consent of Hebrewes Graecians and Latines To which alludes the Poet where he saies Audax Iapetigenus This name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Iaphet in Hebrew signifieth asmuch as Dilatation or enlargement Whereas the Greeke Etymologists ridiculously draw it from many other originalls in the like sort Tacitus ignorant of the Hebrew would haue the people of Palestine to be called Iudaei quasi Idaei from the mountaine Ida in Creete from which he dreames they were deriued whereas the word in the Chaldy signifies as much as Praysers In like manner Ion or according to Homer Iaon supposed the first Author of the Iones would the Graecians deriue from a flower whereas the word in Hebrew signifie as much as a deceiuer Whence Daniel prophecied of Alexander the great that the King of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Iaan or Iauan should raigne in Assiria Instances in this kind are infinite as of Danaus drawne from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dan which signifies a Iudge whence comes Dardanus which is the seat of Iudges Of Ianus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iaijn signifying wine in which sense hee is by Halicharnisseus called Oenotrius Of Achaeis which signifies Greece Aegipt which is streight or narrow Nimrode Rebellous Ninus a sonne Niniue the house of Ninus Solon quasi Solam a peace-maker So Cadmus supposed to bee the father of letters and learning amongst the Graecians signifies in the originall so much as an Easterne man or an ancient man Should wee runne any further on this point wee should bee thought to write a dictionary for as much as all the ancient names amongst the Graecians spring from the same fountaine Whence that Aegyptian Priest had good reason to obiect to Solon That the Graecians seemed children because they had nothing ancient amongst them But to better purpose a Christian obiected to the Graecians that Moyses the Lawgiuer to the Christians was ancienter then all the Graecian Gods Other reasons are taken from the Religion of the Hebrewes out of which seeme to be deriued all the famous religions of the Earth For to let passe the Christian Iewish Mahometan Religions at this day flourishing all of them challenging great antiquity and taking a great
mixture from the truest and ancientest Hebrew discipline It is manifest that in the Heathenish superstitions themselues many footsteppes haue bin discouered which will appeare by diuers Instances These arguments I confesse seeme very strong but yet not of sufficient strength to enforce credulity without other warrant To say peremptorily with Mr. Bodin that by the consent of ancient writers the Chaldeans are acknowledged the most ancient people is more then I dare to venter Neither is this opinion so strongly fortified with arguments but Reason may steppe in to haue a doubtfull assault Their first argument drawne from the testimony of holy Scriptures in th â—â— of Genesis seemes to stand on our side altogether against them For whereas it is said that they came from the east into the plaine of Shinaar it is manifest that the east was first peopled or else how should this people come from the east into these plaines of Shinaar to erect the tower of Babel Secondly whereas they vrge Arts Ciuility Magnificence of the Chaldeans wee shall find it rather to agree to the people which dwell farther east as is witnessed by the former instances And if any obiect that at this day is found the contrary for as much as we find the Indian to be a barbarous blind and ignorant Nation in respect of the Asiatickes and Europaeans we answere two wayes 1 First that we find not by experience the East-Indians to bee so altogether deuoide of ciuility but that wee may obserue not only amongst them the footsteppes but also the practise of many ingenuous Arts sage gouernment policy and magnificence as amongst the Chinois and the large territory of the great Mogull 2. It is not hard to imagine that in so large a tract of time the best setled common wealthes should be brought to nought arts ciuility magnificence be forgotten and the rarest inuentions bee cast into obliuion especially by those two enemies of ciuility warres and luxury both which hauing the raignes in their own hands are quickly able to abolish all wholesome discipline both in Lawes and Religion 3. Their argument drawne from the footesteppes of Languages in my shallow conceit proues nothing else but that all Lawes Arts and Learning was deriued to the Graecians from the Chaldaeans or the Nations neare adioyning which formerly receiued it from them But how farre Learning might propagate it selfe the other way towards the East is not a matter so cleare and out of question The preseruation of the Language for ought I â—ee might grow from the continuance of the Religion more firmely rooted and for a long time continued in Abrahams posterity whose abode was settled there about whereas the other farre diuorced aswell from their first spring as the monumentall seales of their religion quickly turned Religion into Pagan Idolatry Many reasons besides the disprouing of this former opinion may bee alleaged to proue the Easterne part of the world to haue bin first peopled amongst which I will only cull out this one grounded on the text of holy Scripture It is warranted out of the text 1 That when the waters begâ—n to decrease vpon the face of the earth and the Arke began to rest vpon the mountaine Araâ—at Noah sent out a doue to make tryall who returned with an oliue-branch in her mouth 2 That neare the place he issued out of the Arke with all his family he planted a vineyard and was drunke with the iuyce of the Grape not knowing the strength thereof out of which by all probable coniecture must needes bee collected that the Regions neare the place where the Arke first rested by the benefit of Nature afforded both Vines and Oliues for we cannot imagine the silly Doue at the time of the flood empty gorged to haue flowne very farre ouer the face of the waters to obtaine this Oliue branch nor Noah after the flood to haue gone very farre to seeke out a conuenient place for his Vineyard whence it is most likely that the Arke rested in such a place whose neare adjoining Regions are inriched with such commodities But this cannot bee verified of Armenia wherein for ought my reading informes me are found neither Vines nor Oliues whereas some places Eastward whereon the Arke according to this other opinion was supposed to rest afford both in great plenty To vmpite betwixt these two opinions I leaue to my frendly Readers because it is not in our power to command but obey Reason CHAP. XIV 1_OF the originall of Inhabitants of the Earth we haue spoken It remaines wee now treat of their naturall Disposition There is nothing more subiect to admiration then the diuersity of naturall Dispositions in Nations a matter euident to the eye of obseruation and needing no proofe or demonstration for who obserues not in all Nations certaine naturall or nationall vertues or vices which neither time nor Lawes could euer change or correct For not to 〈◊〉 farther off then our neighbouring Nations Confines what Writer in this kind almost were he not very partiall hath not taxed pride and ambition in the Spaniard leuity or rather as Bodin would haue it temerity in the Frenâ—h dangerous dissimulation in the Italian Drunkennesse in the Dutch Falshood in the Irish and gluttony in the English And howsoeuer many meanes haue bin put in practise either by the seuerity of lawes to curb such enormities or the subtilty of discourse to shroud these vices vnder the name of vertues yet these markes are found to stick as close as the spots vnto the Leopard as neither altering their pristine hue or yeelding to time or statutes And if it happened at any time that by extraordinary violence some litle alteration were wrought yet some few yeares would find it returne againe vnto his owne nâ—ture and disposition This variety of dispositions being very many and dâ—pending on sundry causes to helpe memory we will reduce into certaine heads out of which in the generall we may giue a iudgment leauing the rest to our speciall Tract The name of naturall disposition in this place we take in the largest sense so farre forth as it comprehends vnder it the Complexion Manners Actions Languages Lawes Religion and Gouernment All which so farre forth as they depend from the places we will shew Neither intend we to handle nicely all these specialities forasmuch as the Manners Customes Lawes and for a great part the externall rites of Religion depend on the naturall constitution of the Inhabitants so that little can bee spoken of the naturall constitution but of such actions effects and markes as shew themselues in their ordinary customes manners Wherefore we shall be constrained to treat of them together the one being a great furtherance to the explanation of the other 2 The naturall disposition of the Inhabitants of the Earth may suffer change and diuersity either in respect of the site or in respect of the quality of the soile or in regard of the Inhabitants themselues 3 The site is the respect
thought to bee triumphed ouer rather then conquered It were an infinite taske to write all which Tacitus relates of the valour and warlike disposition of the Germans being a Nation louing rest and hating Idlenes puniâ—hing cowardice with Death and reputing it an inexplable shame for a subiect to see his Prince slaine in Battailâ— and returne aliue without him As much or more hee reports from Iulius Agricola then Proconsul of Britany of our ancient British Nation whose factions and dissentions amongst themselues gaue occasion to the Roman victory and not the Roman valour wherein hee confessed them no way to stand inferiour To strengthen this assertion History will afford an euidence almost in euery corner of the world wherein wee shall find the North by sundry conquests to haue preuailed against the South In the East parts wee find that Ciâ—gis Can a Northerne Tartar conquered the Indians That the Tartarians also conquered the Armenians and yet the Armenians had such aduantâ—ge against the Southerne people that the Mamalukes esteemed a strong Nation in Aegypt were first chosen out of Armenia Also wee find that the people of Caâ—haâ— subdued the Chinois and the Indians Wee read also that Mahomet a Saracen Sultan of Persia hired certaine Northerne Scythians with whose strength hee ouerthrew the Caliph of Babylon who dwelt afterwards in Turcomania Neither wants America many examples in this kind and no question but many others haue been drowned in obliuion for want of History We find that the people of the North in this Continent preuailed against the South and conquered Mexico which was afterward subdued againe by Cortese and by later discouery of our English nation we are giuen to vnderstand that the people about Terra de Laboradore are a fierce warlike people in so much as rather then they would yeeld themselues to be taken captiue by our men they haue been seene to make away themselues To goe no further then our own countrey who knowes not how many famous ouerthrowes haue in later Ages beene giuen to the Spaniards and the French especially to the later who haue feared the vtter vndoing of their State yet neither of these two great Kingdomes could euer attempt any thing against the English worthy Chronicle or obseruation If any man obiect the actions of King William the Conquerour wee can answer many wayes first that hee wanne the soueraignty not meerely by the sword but by Agreement and composition challenging a promise from King Edward the predecessour and being fortified with a strong faction of the nobility of the Realme and moreouer the malice of the Subiects against Harald being an vsurping Tyrant gaue great spurres to his victory wherefore wee cannot iudge this a true Conquest yet hath England beene conquered of the Danes a more Northerne people and suffered many inconueniences of the Scots but yet were neuer able to conquer them vtterly or bring them vnder subiection although fewer in number and neerâ— their Confines Now for the second clause that the people of the Middle Region are more prouident in preseruation of Common-wealths is warranted out of the same grounds for to this two things are necessary to wit Armes and Counsell whence they vsed to paint Pallas armed to signifie that not only strength but Counsell was necessary for the establishmenâ— of Kingdomes The Southerne people as we haue shewed being altogether addicted to contemplation haue beene vnable either to defend themselues or repell an enemy On the other side the people of the North hauing strength sufficient to assault for want of prudence and counsell could neuer long enioy their Conquests so that wee shall seldome read of any great Empire established of either But the middle people hauing strength to subdue the Southerne and policy enough to ouercome the strength of the North haue established many great and famous Empires Here for an ample example wee may produce the State of the Roman Empire which borrowed Lawes and discipline from the Graecians nauticall Scienâ—es from the Sicilians and Punicks military discipline from their dayly exercise and therefore was it no great wonder that in state and glory they surmounted all other Nations On the other side wee finde many famous victories atchieued by the Northerne people yet could they neuer leaue behind them any large Empire but as easily lost as wonne their Kingdomes Thus fared it with the Gothes the Hunnes the Heruli and the Vandals which with so many strong Armies inuaded Europe and Asia who neuerthelesse for want of Wisdome and foresight could not hold what they got or settle therein any state of long continuance 4 The extreame Regions in manners actions and customes are cleane opposite the one to the other The middle partake of mixture of both That the manners of men depend on the naturall complexion and temper is warranted as well by experience as approued testimony of our best Philosophers For howsoeuer grâ—ce oâ— education may make a change yet this is extraordinary and these raines once loosed men easily returne to their former disposition How much the Northerne man differs from the Southerne in naturall constitution wee haue formerly â—aught out of which wee cannot but conclude a great disparity in manners and customes Yet â—o shew a moâ—e speciall and euident demonstration wee will make a particular enumeration of such affections as are incident to the Nortâ—ernâ— Sothernâ— man out of the comparison make ouâ— iudgement First therefore it is manifest out of ancient and moderne obseruation that the Northerne man hath beene â—axed of too much leuity and inconstancy The Southerne man contrariwise of too much peruerse stubbornesse as well in opinion as affection The reason of both wee haue before specified to bee their naturall complexion which in the former is inclined to sanguine in the later to Choller Adust and melancholy whereof the one is the more subiect to change or impression then the other Galen deriuing all vertues from the humours of the body makes Chollâ—r the mother of prudence melanchâ—ly of constancy bloud of mirth fleame of mansuetude Out of the mixture of which humours infinite variety ariseth And because these humours are seldome equally or proportionally combined and tempered together they become the sources of infinite vices Which Inequality of temperament is rather found in the extreame regions And therefore no maruaile if they are obserued to haue beene subiect to greater vices then those of the middle region For the mutability and leuity of the Northerne Nations wee can haue no greater argument then the change of religion It is written of the Ostrogothes and Visigothes that being expulsed by King Attila they besought Valens that hee would grant them a dwelling place conditionally promising that they would submit themselues as well to the lawes of the Empire as to the Christian Religion Which hauing obtained they fled from their promise and perfidiously burnt the Emperor aliue The Gothes as soone as they came into Italy embraced the Christian Religion but soone ranne into