The Poles altitude is the distance betweene the Pole and the Horizon or that portion of the Meridian which is contained betweene the Pole and the Horizon The altitude of the Sunne aboue the Horizon is that portion of the circle of Azumuth which is contained betweene the Horizon and the Sunne Latitude is that arke of the meridian which is contained betweene the parallell of any place and the Equator or that part of the Meridian which is included betweene the Zenith and the Equinoctiall Longitude is that portion of the Equator contained betweene the Meridian of S. Mihels one of the Iles of the Assones and the Meridian of the place whose longitude is desired the reason why the accompt of longitude doth begin at this I le is because that there the Compasse hath no varietie for the Meridian of this I le passeth by the Poles of the worlde and the Poles of the Magnet being a Meridian proper to both Poles The longitude betweene place and place is the portion of the Equator which is contained betweene the Meridians of the same places Declination is the distance of the Sunne Moone and Starres from the Equinoctiall or that portion of the Meridian which passeth by the Center of any celestiall body and is contained betweene the same center and the Equinoctiall Hidrographie is the description of the occean Sea with all Iles bancks rocks and sands therein contained whose limits extend to the geographicall borders of the earth the perfect notice whereof is the cheefest thing required in a sufficient Pylote in his excellent practise of sayling Geographie is the description of the earth onely whereby the terrestriall forme in his due situation is giuen whose distinction is by mountaines riuers vallies cities and places of fame without regarde of the Circles Clymates or Zones Cosmographie is the description of the heauens with all that is contained within the circute thereof but to the purpose of nauigation we must vnderstand Cosmographie to be the vniuersall description of the terrestriall Globe distinguished by all such circles by which the distinction of the celestiall Sphere is vnderstoode to be giuen with euery Countrie Coast Sea Harborow or other place seated in their true longitude latitude Zone and Clyme The Chart is a speciall instrument in Nauigation pretending the Cosmographicall description of the terrestriall Globe by all such lynes circles corses and diuisions as are required to the most exquisite skill of nauigation The end of the First Booke THE SECOND PART OF THIS TREATISE OF NAVIGATION WHERIN IS TAVGHT THE nature and most necessary vse of the Globe with the Circles Zones Climates and other distinctions to the perfect vse of Sayling By which most excellent Instrument is perfourmed all that is needfully required to the full perfection of all the three kindes of Nauigation THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE SEAMANS SECRETS What is the Sphere THe Sphere is a solide body contained vnder one superficies in the midst whereof there is a point or prick which is the Center of the Sphere from whence all right lines drawn to the circumference are equall the one to the other whereby it is to be vnderstoode that the centre of the Sphere is so euenly placed in his midst as that it hath like distance from all parts of the Circumference And forasmuch as the Sphere is an instrument demonstrating nnto us the nniuersall ingine of the world we must therfore vnderstand this Center to be this terrestrial Globe wherin we haue our being which compared to the celestial Globe or heauenly circumference doth beare propertie as the center to his circle which earthly globe by the diuine mightie workmanship of God doth admirably hang vpon his center being of equall distance from all partes of the circumference What are the distinctions of the Sphere THe Sphere is distinguished by ten circles whereof sixe are great circles and 4. are lesser circles whereof there are onely 8. described vpon the body of the Globe limiting the Zones and motion of the Planets as the Equinoctiall the Ecliptick the Equinoctiall Colure the Solsiticial Colure the Tropick of Cancer the Tropick of Capricorne the Artick Polar Circle and the Antartick Polar Circle The Horizon and Meridian are not described vpon the body of the Globe but artificially annexed thereunto for the better perfection of his vse Which are the great circles and which the lesser THe Equator the Ecliptick the 2. Colures the Meridian and the Horizon are great circles because they deuide the sphere into 2. equall parts The 2. Tropicks the 2. Polar circles are lesser circles because they deuide the Sphere into 2. vnequall partes What is the Equator or Equinoctiall THe Equinoctial is a great circle deuiding the Sphere into 2. equal parts leauing the one halfe towardes the North and the other halfe towards the South and is equally distant from both the Poles of the worlde 90. degrees placed euenly betweene them and described vpon them this line crosseth the Horizon in the true points of East and West and hath alwaies his owne halfe aboue the Horizon vnles it be vnder either of the Poles for there the Equator is in the Horizon it crosseth the Meridian at right Spherick angles and it also crosseth the Ecliptick line in the first minute of Aries and Libra diuiding the Ecliptick and Horizon and is also by them deuided into two equall partes This line is also deuided into 360. equall partes or degrees which are the degrees of Longitude beginning the account in the point of Aries reckoning twoards the East concluding the number 360. in the place where the first account began viz where the Equator doth intersecte the Ecliptick in the first minute of Aries vnder which Meridian S. Mihels one of the yles of the assores is to be placed in the geographicall description of the terrestriall Globe What is the vse of the Equator THe vse of the Equinoctiall is to know the declination of the Sunne Moone Starres wherby the latitude of places is giuen for that portion of the Meridian which is contained betweene the Equator and the Centre of the Sunne Moone or Starres is their declination also by the Equinoctiall is knowne the Longitude of places for a quarter of a great Circle being drawne from the Pole to the place whose Longitude is desired and so continued to the Equinoctiall that degree and minute in which the quarter circle dooth touch the Equator is the Longitude of the same place or if you bring any place that is described vpon the Globe whose Longitude you would know vnder the Meridian of the Globe that degree of the Equinoctiall that is then likewise directly vnder the Meridian is the Longitude desired When the sunne commeth vpon the Equator then the Daies and nights are of one length through the whole worlde and then the Sunne riseth vpon the true point of East and setteth vpon the true point of West and not els at any time This circle being fixed in the
which when the Sunne commeth the daies are then longest to all those that inhabit in the North partes of the worlde and shortest to the Southerne inhabitants betweene this circle and the Equator are included the 6. Septentrional signes ♈ ♉ ♊ ♋ ♌ ♠in which signes during the time that the Sunne abideth being from the 11. of March to the 13. of September he hath much declination and then is the spring and Summer to all such as inhabite in the North partes of the Worlde and Autumme and Winter to the inhabitants of the South partes of the Worlde this circle doth touch the Ecliptick in the first minute of ♋ where the Sun beginneth his returne toward the South wherupon it tooke the name Tropick which signifieth conuersion or returne by which point of the Ecliptick the diurnall motion describeth this Circle What is the tropick of Capricorne THe Tropick of ♑ is one of the lesser circles deuiding the sphere into 2. vnequall partes and is described vpon the pole Antartick a perallell to the Equinoctiall 23. degrees 28 minutes from him being the farthest bending of the Ecliptick towards the South to which when the Sunne commeth the daies are then longest to al those that inhabite in the South partes of the worlde and shortest to the Northern inhabitants betweene this circle and the Equator are included the 6. Southern signes ♎ ♠♠♑ ♒ ♓ in which signes during the time that the Sunne abideth being from the 13 of September to the 11. of March he hath South declination and then is the Spring and Summer to all such as inhabite in the South partes of the worlde and Autumme and Winter to all the inhabitants in the North partes of the worlde this circle toucheth the Ecliptick in the first minute of ♑ by which point the diurnall motion describeth this perallell What is the vse of the Tropicks BY the Tropicks the Sunnes declination is known as also the tropicks by the Sunnes farthest motion towardes the North and South for so much as the Tropicks are distant from the Equator so much is the sunnes greatest declination and such as is the Suns greatest declining such is the distance betweene the Tropicks and the Equator they are also the limits of the burning Zone seperating the burning and temperate zones For between the two Tropicks is contained the burning Zone What is the Artick polar Circle THe Artick Polar Circle is one of the lesser circles deuiding the sphere into two vnequall partes and described vpon the Pole Artick in perallell to the Tropick of ♋ hauing such distance from the Pole as the Tropick hath from the Equator being 23. degrees 28. minuts vpon which circle the Artick pole of the Zodiac is placed which being fixed in the firmament by the vertue of the first mouer is carried about with the heauens by which motion this circle is described What is the Antartick polar Circle THe Antartick polar circle is opposite to the Artick and perallell to the Tropick of ♑ being in all respect of such distance and description from and about the pole Antartick as the Artick polar circle is about the Pole Artick What is the vse of the Artick and Antartick polar Circles THe vse of these 2. polar Circles is to shew the distance of the poles of the Zodiac from the poles of the Worlde for so much as the Solsticiall points are distant from the Equator so much are the poles of the Zodiac from the poles of the Worlde these circles doo also deuide and limit the temperate and frozen zones for betweene the Tropick of ♋ and the Artick Polar circle is contained the Northern temperate zone and betweene the Artick polar circle and the Pole artick that is within the Artick polar circle is contained the Northern frozen zone Also betweene the Tropick of ♑ and the Antartick polar circle is contained the Southern temperate zone and within the said polar circle is included the Antartick frozen zone and chese are all the circles that are described vpon the body of the Globe What is the Meridian THe Meridian is a great circle passing by the Poles of the Worlde and by your zenyth deuiding the Horison into 2. equall partes in the pointes North and South it also deuideth the sphere with all the perallell circles therein contained into 2. equall partes crossing them at right spherick angles And this Meridian is not fixed in the firmament as the rest of the circles are for if it were then should it be moued with the first mouer as the rest are but it is not so therefore the Meridian is manifested vpon the Globe by a circle or ring of copper fastened vnto the Globe vpon the 2. Poles so that the Globe moueth round vpon his 2. Poles within the Meridian this Meridian is graduated in euery of his quarters into 90. degrees by which his vse is perfourmed and note that one Meridian may haue many Horyzons yet euery Horizon hath but one Meridian yet in euery sencible difference of distance you shall enter into a change of Horizons for there bee as many Horizons as there be sencible differences of distance and there bee as many Meridians as there be sencible differences of distance so that the difference be not vpon the points North or South but this copper Meridian annexed to the Globe is to be applyed to all differences and distances whatso euer as amply as if the number were infinite What is the vse of the Meridian THe vse of the Meridian is to know the highest ascending of the Sunne Moone or Starres from the Horizon for when they bee vpon the Meridian then are they farthest from the Horizon and then is the most conuenient time to take the altitude of the Sunne or Starres thereby to finde the Poles eleuation By the Meridian of your Globe is knowne the latitude and longitude of any place vpon the Globe contained for if you bring any place vnder the Meridian the degrees of the Meridian do shew the latitude of the same and that degree of the Equator which the Meridian doth crosse is the longitude c. What is the Horizon THe Horizon is a great circle deuiding the heauens into 2. equall partes the one halfe being aboue the horizon is alwaies in sight the other halfe is not seene being vnder the Horizon and therefore is called the finitor or lymit of our sight for where the heauens and feas seeme to ioyne together that is the Horizon the Horizon is not fixed in the firmament and yet is a fixed circle constant to his proper latitude but because in the Globe one and the same Horizon may perfourme whatsoeuer is required to all eleuations the Horizon is so artificially annexed to the Globe that by the motion of the Meridian in the same there faulteth nothing in his vse and the Horizon is in all respects distinguished as is the sea Compasse There are two kindes of Horizons a right Horizon and an oblique Horizon when the
Poles are in the Horizon then is it a right Horizon for then the Equator doth cut the Horizon to right angles making a right Sphere and a right Horizon an oblique Horizon is where either of the Poles are eleuated aboue the same for then the Equator doth cut the Horizon to vnlike angles making an oblique Sphere and an oblique Horizon and although the Horizons be diuers and many in number for euery sencible difference of distance hath his proper Horizon yet is the Horizon of the Globe so conueniently annexed thereunto as that by the mouing of the Meridian in the Horizon and by the Globes motion in the Meridian both the Horizon and Meridian are to be applyed as proper to all places whatsoeuer and note that the place where you are is alwaies the center of the plaine superficiall Horyson What is the vse of the Horizon THe Horizon is the beginning of all altitude for whatsoeuer is aboue the Horyzon is said to haue altitude more or lesse and by the horizon such altitudes are giuen with helpe of the crosse staffe for placing the crosse staffe at your eye if by the one end of the transuersary you see the Horyzon and by the other end at the same instant you see the body obserued then doth the transuersary shew vpon the staffe the altitude desired by the Horizon the nauigable courses from place to place are like wise knowne as also the quantitie of the rising and setting of the Sunne moone and Starres whereby is knowne the length of the daies and nights in all climats and at all seasons by the Horyzon is knowne vpon what degree of Azumuth the Sun Moone or Starres are when they may be seene in what part of the Heauen soeuer whereby the variation of the Compasse is found and the Poles altitude may at all seasons be giuen Are these all the circles appertaining to the Globe There are other Circles which are fixed and doe properly appertaine to euery perticuler Horizon as Azumuths Almicantans the Artick and Antartick circles What are circles of Azumuth CIrcles of Azumuths or verticall circles are quarters of great circles concurring together in the Zenith as the Meridians do in the Pole and are extended from the Zenith to euery degree of the Horizon c. And because they cannot be conueniently described vpon the Globe to bee applyed to all Horizons therefore vpon the Meridian of the Globe there is a peece of copper artificially placed to be remoued to any degree of the Meridian at pleasure which peece of copper representeth the zenith and must alwaies be placed so many degrees from the Equator as the Pole is eleuated from the Horizon and vnto this zenith there is ioyned a quarter of a great circle called Quarta altitudo the ende whereof doth continually touch the Horyzon and is so ioyned to the zenith as that it may be moued round vpon the Horizon and to euery parte thereof at your pleasure this Quarta altitudo is deuided into 90 degrees being the distinction of all altitude and beginneth the accompt from the Horizon which is the beginning of altitude and concludeth 90 degrees in the zenith being the end and extreme lymite of all altitude What are Almicantans ALmicantans or circles of altitude are parallel circles to the Horizon and are described vpon the zenith as the perallells to the equator are described vpon the Poles of which circles there are 90. answerable to the distinctions of the Quarta altitudo which are the degrees contained betweene the Horizon and zenith these circles cannot be described vpon the Globe to be applyed to euery Horizon but they are distinguished by the circular motion of the Quarta altitudo fox if I desire to see the almicantar circle of 10. degrees by mouing the Quarta altitudo round about the Horizon the zenith degree of their quarter circle doth shew the Almicanter desired in what eleuation soeuer What is the vse of these two Circles THe quarta altitudo perfourmeth the vse of both by the quartâ—â— altitude and Horizon the courses from place to place are known according to the true horizontall position as hereafter shall plainely appeere it also sheweth the degree of Azumuth and obserued altitude of any celestiall body in what latitude soeuer by the Quarta altitudo and Horizon you may describe a peradoxall Compasse vpon the Globe the Poles length is at all times therby to be knowne and the variation of the Compasse is thereby likewise giuen as hereafter in the practise you shall be taught What are the Artick and Antartick circles EVery Horizon hath his proper Artick or Antartick circle those Horizons that haue the Pole Artick eleuated aboue them haue their proper Artick circle and those that haue the South pole eleuated haue their proper Antartick circle the quantitie of which circle is according to the Poles eleuation for if the Pole be much eleuated then is the Artick circle great for the Poles altitude is the semidiamiter of this circle if the Pole be in the Zenith then halfe the Heauens is the Artick circle What is the vse of this circle IF the Sunne Moone or any Starres be within this circle they are neuer caried vnder the Horizon during the time of their abode therin whervpon it commeth to passe that such as trauaile farre towards the North haue the Sunne in continuall viewe and those that inhabite vnder the Pole if any so doe the Sunne is in continuall sight for sixe moneths together because the sixe Septentrionall signes are within their Artick circle the Equator being in the Horizon c. There is another small circle which is called Ciclus horarius or the hower circle to be annexed to the Meridian of the Globe for the perfection of his use this circle must be deuided into 24. equall partes or howers and those againe into such partes as you please for the better distinction of time this circle must be fastened to the meridian so that the howers 12. must stand directly vpon the edge of the meridian and the Pole must bee the center of this circle vpon which Pole there must be fastened an Index to moue proportionably as the sphere vpon any occasion shal be moued There is also an halfe circle called the Circle of position which sith it serueth to no great purpose for Nauigation I heere omit and thus is the Globe fully finished for the perfection of this vse What are the Poles of the worlde THere are two Poles 〈◊〉 the North or artick Pole and the South or antartick Pole which Poles are two moueable prickes fixed in the firmament wherupon the sphere is moued by vertue of the first mouer and are the limits of the Axis of the worlde as also the extreme terme or band of all declination being 90. degrees from all partes of the Equator By the raising of the Pole from the Horizon is knowne the perallell or latitude of our being it also giueth the quantitie of the Artick circle and the
firmament is moued with the first mouer in euery houre 15 degrees by which accompt in 24. houres his motion is perfourmed And here note that the degrees of the Equinoctiall haue a double application the one to time and the other to mesure in respect of time 15. degrees make an houre so that euery degree containeth but 4 minutes of time but when his degrees haue relation to measure then euery degree containeth 60. minutes being 20 leags so that euery minute standeth for a mile after our English accompt But this allowance of 20. leags to euery degree of the Equinoctiall in sayling or measuring of distances vpon the East and West Corses is onelye when you are vnder the same because the Equinoctiall being a perallell is likewise a great circle and euery degree of a great circle is truly accompted for 20. leages or 60. myles But in the rest of the perallells where either of the Poles are eleuated aboue the Horizon if there you saile or measure vpon the Corses east or west there are not 20. Leags to be allowed to euery degree because such perallelles are lesser circles therefore they haue the fewer number of leags to euery degree so that the further you departe from the Equator the lesser are the perallelles and the lesser that any perallell is the lesser are his degrees because euery circle containeth 360. degrees and as the circles and degrees are diminished in their quantitie in like sorte the distance answerable to such degrees must abate as their circles do decrease And further know that the Equator is the beginning of all terrestriall Latitude and declination of the celestiall bodies What is the Ecliptick THe Ecliptick line is greate◠circle deuiding the sphere into 2. equall partes by crossing the Equator in oblique sort deuiding him and being diuided by him into 2. equall partes bending from the Equator towards the North and South 23. degrees and 28. minutes being in the first minute of Cancer and Capricorne there determining the Tropicall limits this line likewise deuideth the Zodiack by longitude into 2 equall partes and is deuided together with the Zodiac into 12. equal portions called signes and euery of these signes is deuided vpon the Ecliptick into 30. equall partes or degrees so that this line is deuided into 360. degrees vpon which line the center of the Sunne doth continually moue this circle is described vpon his proper poles named the Pole of the Zodiac beeing in all his partes 90. degrees from either of them The Zodiac is a circle contrary to all the other for they are mathematicall lines consisting only of length without breadth or thicknes but the Zodiac hath latitude or bredth 12. degrees whose limits are 6. degrees of either side of the Ecliptick wherein the Sunne Moone and Planets perform their motions and reuolutions the center of the Sunne onelye keeping vpon the Ecliptick but the other Planets haue sometime North latitude and sometime South latitude And here you must vnderstand that the latitude of the Planets or Starres is that portion of the eclipticall meridian which is contained betweene the center of the Planet or Star and the Ecliptick line and their longitude is that portion of the line Ecliptick which is contained betweene the the saide meridian and the eclipticall meridian that passeth by the poles of the Zodiac and the first minute of Aries The 12. deuisions or signes of the Zodiac are these Aries ♈ Taurus ♉ Gemini ♊ Cancer ♋ Leo ♌ Virgo ♠Libra ♎ Scorpio ♠Sagitari ♠Capricorne ♑ Aquarius ♒ Pisces ♓ and these are their characters that stand by them The 7. Planets that keepe within the limits of the Zodiack are these Saturne ♄ Iupiter ♃ Mars ♂ Sol ☉ Venus ♀ Mercury ☿ Luna ☽ Saturne perfourmes his course through all the degrees of the Zodiac once in euery 30. yeeres Iupiter in 12. yeeres Mars in 2. yeeres the Sunne in 365. daies and 6. houres being one yeere Venus and ☿ as the Sunne and the Moone performeth her course in 27. daies and about 8. houres through all the degrees of the Zodiac And note that this naturall motion of the Planets in the Zodiac is from the West toward the East the diurnall motion is violent caused by the first mouer or primum mobile who in euery 24. houres doth perfourme his circular motion from the East to the West carrying with him all other inferiour bodies whatsoeuer What is the vse of the Zodiac BY the Zodiac and Ecliptick is knowne the longitude and Latitude of any Celestiall body either Planets or fired Starres for a quarter of a great circle drawne from the pole of the Zodiac to the center of any Planet or Star and so continued vntill it touch the Ecliptick that degree and minute where the said quarter circle toucheth the Ecliptick is the longitude of the said body which is to be accompted from the first minute of Aries for the longitude of Aries is the portion of the Ecliptick line which is contained betweene the eclipticall meridian passing by the poles of the Zodiac and the first minute of Aries and the eclipticall meridian which passeth by the poles of the Zodiac and the centre of any Planet or Starre When the Planets are vpon the North side of the Ecliptick they haue North latitude and being South from the Ecliptick they haue South latitude Also the motions of the Planets the time of any Eclipse and the Suns declination by his place in the Ecliptick are known by this circle whose vse is very ample and to great purpose for all Astronomicall considerations What are the Colures THe Solsticiall Colure is a great circle passing by the Poles of the world and the poles of the Zodiac and the Solsticial points or first minute of ♑ and ♋ cutting the Equinoctiall at right spherick angles in his 90. and in his 270. degrees The Equinoctiall Coloure is likewise a great circle passing by the poles of the worlde and the equinoctiall point of ♈ and ♎ and crosseth the equator in his first and 180. degrees and those Coloures do intersect ech the other in the poles of the world to right spherick angles What is the vse of these Colures Their vse is to distinguish the 4. principall seasons of the yere Spring Summer Autumme and winter deuiding the Equator and Ecliptick into 4. equal parts also that arke of the Solsticiall Colure which is included betweene the first minute of ♋ and the Equinoctiall is the Sunnes greatest declination toward the North the like arke being betweene the tropicall point of ♑ and the Equator is the Sunnes greatest South declination being in these our daies 23 degrees 28. minutes What is the tropick of Cancer The Tropick of ♋ is one of the lesser circles deuiding the sphere into two vnequall partes and is described vpon the pole Artick a perallell to the Equator 23. degrees 28 minutes from him being the farthest lymit of the Ecliptick bending towards the North to
Charts for short courses are to very good purpose for the Pilots vse and in long courses be the distance neuer so farre if the Pilote returne by the same course whereby in the first he prosecuted his voyage his Chart will be without errour as an instrument of very great commoditie but if he returne by any other way then by that which hee went foorth the imperfections of the Chart will then appeare to be very great especially if the voyage be long or that the same be in the North partes of the worlde the farther towards the North the more imperfect therefore there is no instrument answerable to the Globe or peradoxall Chart for all courses and climats whatsoeuer by whom all desired truth is most plentifully manifested as shall hereafter at large be declared but for the costing of any shore or countrie or for shorte voyages there is no instrument more conuenient for the Seamans vse then the well described Sea Chart. What is the vse of the sea Chart BY the directions of the sea chart the skilful Pilote conuaieth his ship from place to place by such courses as by the chart are made known vnto him together with the helpe of his Compasse or Crosse staffe as before is shewed for the Crosse staffe the Compasse and Chart are so necessarily ioyned together as that the one may not well be without the other in the execution of the practises of Nauigation for as the Chart sheweth the courses so doth the compasse direct the same and the Crosse staffe by euery perticutar obserued latitude doth confirme the truth of such caurses and also giueth the certaine distance that the Ship hath sayled vpon the same And in the vse or vnderstanding of the Sea Chart there are fiue thinges cheefely to be regarded The first is that the Countries or geographie of the Chart be knowne with euery Cape Promontery Port Hauen Bay Sands Rocks and dangers therein contained Secondly that the lines drawne vpon the Chart with their seuerall properties be likewise vnderstoode Thirdly that the latitudes of such places as are within the Chart be also knowne as by the Chart they are expressed Fourthly that you be able to measure the distances betweene place and place vpon the Chart. And fiftly the Seaman must be able by his Chart to know the true courses betweene any les contenents or Capes whatsoeuer for by these fiue diuersities the Chart is to be vsed in the skill of Nauigation How is the latitude of places knowne by the Chart THe latitude is thus found by the Chart vpon the place whose latitude you desire to know set one foot of your compasses then stretch the other foote to the next East and West line for that line is your director keeping that foote still vpon the same line moue your hand and Compasses East or West as occasion requireth vntill you bring the Compasses to the graduated Meridian and there that foote of the Compasses which stoode vpon the place whose latitude you would know dooth shewe the latitude of the same place How is the course betweene place and place knowne WHen there are two places assigned the course betweene which you desire to know set one foote of your Compasses vpon one of the places then by discretion consider the lines that lead toward the other place stretching the other foote of the Compasses to one of those lines and to that part of the line which is neerest to you keeping that foote still upon the same line moue your hand and Compasses toward the other place and see whether the other foot of the Compasses that stood vpon the first place doe by this direction touch the second place which if it doe then that line wherupon you kept the one foote of your Compasses is the course betweene those places but if it touch not the place you must by discretion search vntill you finde a line whereupon keeping the one foote of the Compasses will lead the other foote directly from the one place to the other for that is the course betweene those two places How is the distance of places found vpon the Chart IF the places be not farre asunder stretch a paire of Compasses betweene them setting the one foote of the compasses vpon one of the places and the other vpon the other place then not altering the compasses set them vpon the graduated Meridian of your Chart and allowing 20. leags for euery degree that is contained betweene the 2. feet of your Compasses the distance desired is therby knowne if betweene the places there be 5. degrees then they are 100. leages asunder c. But if the distance betweene the places be so great as that the compasses cannot reach betweene them then take out 5. degrees with your compasses which is 100. leages and therewith you may measure the distance as practise will teach you There is also in euery Chart a scale of leages laide downe whereby you may measure distances as commonly is vsed How doth the Pilote order these matters thereby to conduct his Ship from place to place THe Pilote in the execution of this parte of Nauigation doth with carefull regarde consider three especiall thinges whereupon the full practises are grounded 1 Of which the first is the good obseruation of his latitude which how it may be knowne is before sufficiently expressed 2 The second is a carefull regarde vnto his steredge with very diligent examination of the truth of his Compasse that it be without variation or other impediments 3 And the third is a carefull consideration of the number of leags that the Ship saileth in euery houre or watch to the neerest estimation that possibly he can giue for any two of these three practises being truely giuen the third is therby likewise knowne As by the Corse and height the distance is manifested by the distance and Corse the height is knowne by the height and distance the Corse is giuen of which 3. thinges the Pilote hath onely his height in certaintie the corse is somewhat doubtfull and the distance is but barely supposed notwithstanding from his altitude and corse he concludeth the truth of his practise proceeding in this sort First he considereth in what latitude the place standeth from whence hee shapeth his Corse which for an example shal be the Lyzart standing in 50. degrees of septentrionall latitude then directing his corse S. w. saileth 3. or 4. daies or longer in such thick weather as that he is not able to make any obseraution of the Poles altitude in which time he omitteth not to keepe an accompt how many leages the ship hath sailed vpon that corse as neere as he can gesse which number of leages in this example shal be 100. according to his iuugement then hauing conuenient weather he obserueth in what latititude he is and findeth himselfe to be in 47. degrees now with his compasses he taketh the distance of 100. leages which is the quantitie of the Ships runne by his supposition