ALl hayle Philomathes, what newes?

No newes Sir, but this is the cause of my cōming, to haue a litle conference with you touching the Globe.

You know that my mind, & affection towards all men of honest disposition hath beene such, that I am ready to pleasure them so farre forth as I may. Say there­fore briefly, what will you haue the ende of our commu­nication.

My desire is to be instructed by you in the vse of the Globe: and that so much the rather, because lately by our painefull countryman Maister Mollineux, at the great cost and charge of that worshipfull gentleman, and [...]ouer of learning M. William Sanderson, there haue bin two Globes set forth, and for so much as they are now in the handes of many with whome I haue to do, I would not be altogether ignorant in those matters.

In good time Philomathes, is this requested at my hands, for I my selfe haue beene very liberally inuited [...]o him to penne a Booke, concerning the vse of both the Clobes, for the better profite of our countrymen. So [...]at your request is but an hastening forwarde of that worke, which in respect of his liberalitie I cannot but be willing to vndertake. Goe to therfore let vs come to the matter: and to the end your desire may be fully satisfied, mooue you the question, and I will answere.

Very well: First resolue me in this, what diffe­ [...]ēce do you put betweene a Globe & a Sphere. Me thin­ [...]eth by the common phrase of speach there should be a [Page]difference betweene them, for I heare some men say, that they will learne the vse of the Globe, and others are desirous of the Sphere.

If you regarde the proper signification of the worde, they differ nothing but this, that the one is the Greeke worde, the other the Latine. But in their vnpro­per signification there is a difference betweene them, for the Greeke worde [...], as it is vsed vnproperly, signi­fieth that, which the Latine worde Globus cannot. The worde Sphere taken vnproperly betokeneth such a bo­die as is rounde on the outside and hollowe within (as that which is made of twoo rounde dishes ioyned together by the brimmes) the which bodie the Latines properly call Orbis, an Orbe: in this sence also is the worde Globus vsed. Moreouer the word Sphaera signi­fieth that instrument made of brasen hoopes (wee call it commonly a ringed Sphere) wherwith the Astronomers deliuer vnto the nouices of that Science, the vnders [...]an­ding of things which they imagine in the heauen. In this sence wee cannot vse the worde Globe, except wee imi­tate the ignorant people who not knowing how to call a thing rightly, will now & then terme the ringed Sphere a Globe.

What is the proper signification of these word and how are they defined?

A Sphere or Globe, which in truth are all on [...] is a round bowed Solide: such a one is the whole fram [...] of the world consisting of heauen and earth.

What am I to obserue in this definition, for th [...] better vnderstāding of the present matter which we hau [...] in hande.

You are especially to note the worde (round [...] [Page]and thereby to gather this, that whether the Globe be Mathematically conceaued in minde, or sensibly deliue­red to the eye, it is contained and inclosed vnder one sur­face. Also because nothing is made rounde without a centre, therefore in the middest of the Globe wee must conceaue a poynt to be, the which wee call the centre of the Globe, from whence all the right lines drawne vnto the vtte [...] [...]ost surface of the Globe are equall. Itē for so­much as the bodie cannot be made rounde without a circular motion, and there is no circular motion without some rest, and that rest cannot bee simplie within the Globe, therefore likewise in the vttermost surface of the Globe you must especially obserue the two points vpon which the Globe mooueth, and vpon which it resteth whilest it is mooued. These points are called the Poles of the Globe. In the Poles this is to be noted, they are but two, they are right opposite one to another, they are e­qually distant from the Centre of the Globe. And in re­garde that the Globes (which we vse) represēt some prin­cipall parte of the worlde, therfore we call these foresaid Poles, the Poles of the worlde and speaking eyther sim­ply of the Poles, or of the Poles of the worlde, wee haue relation onely to those pointes vppon which the Globe mooueth, whereof the one is tearmed the North, the o­ther the South pole. Last of all from the one Pole to the other wee must imagine a line to bee drawen through the Centre of the Globe, the which right line is called the axeltree of the Globe, which in the reuolution of the Globe neuer mooueth but standeth still. Thus much generally concerning those thinges which are to be no­ted in the Globe, so farre foorth as it is simplie called by that name. Let vs now proceede to the diuision thereof. [Page]The surface of the Globe, as wee haue hetherto spoken of it, is to be vnderstood as a blancke hauing nothing in­scribed in it, yet fit to receiue any inscription: therefore according to the inscription of the Globe wee diuide it two seuerall wayes: so that the Globe is saide to be ey­ther Celestiall, or Terrestriall. The celestiall Globe is that which contayneth in the conuenitie thereof certaine cir­cles of the heauen, and the fixed starres, with their Astro­nomicall appertinences. Of this Globe I minde God wil­ling to intreat first, and then of the terrestriall Globe.

By your definition I perceaue that your whole discourse shalbe either of the circles belonging to the Globe, or else of the Starres with their Astronomical ap­pertenences as you call them. But before wee enter into the discourse of these matters, I must craue a worde or two with you, concerning the particularities of your defi­nition, that by comparing it with the thing defined, and with the thing signified by the Globe, which is the hea­uen, I may the better vnderstand the matter. First there­fore in that you say that the Globe is rounde, would you haue me by these wordes vnderstande the Heauen to be so?

Yea that you must, & to confute that fonde o­pinion of Lactantius, who affirmed the Heauen to be flat, there are sundry argumēts alleadged by the Learned, whereof some are probable, the other necessary, the ar­guments are these: First it hath pleased God in the forme of the heauen to set forth a resemblance of his eternitie, that as in this figure, so in him there is neither beginning not ending. 2 For so much as the heauē was to cōpre­hende all corruptible things, & without it is neither time nor place, therefore it hath receiued a sphericall forme, [Page]which of all Isoperimetrall figures is most capacious, and fittest to containe. 3. If the Heauens were not rounde, but three or foure square, or of some such like figure, that monstruous absurditie which nature doth so much ab­horre, that is to say an emptinesse must bee graunted. 4. This roundnes being denied, it must needs follow, that wheresoeuer, and of what sorte soeuer the situation of the earth were, the distance frō it to the heauē would not be the same, so that the quātities of the same Starres & their distances would be vnequall to those that dwell in any one place of the earth.

And by your leaue Sir it seemeth so: who is he that hath not seene the full Moone to rise as bigge as a bushell, the which not withstāding being moūted higher seemeth nothing so great. Againe in a fayre day, if wee looke rounde about vs, toward each part of the Heauen, doth it not seeme further frō vs neare vnto the ground, than ouer our heads? So that if we should make our eyes iudges of the roundenes of Heauen, wee can not auerre it to be so, because the Starres appeare in seuerall quan­tities, and each parte of Heauen seemeth not to be of an equall distance from vs.

In deed it is somewhat which you say but most easily answered, euen by a familiar example. A man rea­ding his booke seeth the quantity of each letter, & which way so euer he turneth himselfe keeping the booke in one distance from his sight the letters appeare of the same quantitie, but if he put on his spectacles he conceaueth the letter to be greater thā it is, because the visible forme thereof is inlarged by that meanes. The like must be vn­derstood in the Starres, namely that which way soeuer they mooue they would appeare of the same magnitude, [Page]were it not that neare vnto the earth, when the Sunne is readie to set, there is a dampe or miste which is vnto our sight as the spectacles are, whereby the visible forme of the Starres seene is so inlarged and dispersed, that our sight cannot comprehende them in their proper Magni­tude. The like vnto this is to be perceaued in the water, which causeth any thing cast into it to seeme greater, than it would appeare in the same distaunce lying on the bare grounde. As for the seconde obiection which you make, you must vnderstand this, that the sight is not an immediate iudge of a distance assigned, but gathe­reth it by meanes, that is by the interposition of a cer­taine number of men or houses, or trees, or hilles, or some other such like thinge betwixt the eye and the thing seene. Which thinges interposed if they bee ma­ny, wee affirme the thing seene to be farre off, because reason telleth vs that they cannot be contained in a small space: contrarywise if they bee fewe wee iudge the di­staunce to be the lesser. Hereupon it commeth to passe that our eye running along by the grounde and behol­ding so many housen, churches, hilles, and trees be­tweene vs and the heauen, wee iudge and affirme it to be farre from vs: but for somuch as in looking vp to­warde heauen, there is nothing to be seene directly in our sight, except a cloude or two which (as the Philo­sophers affirme) cannot be aboue three miles or there aboutes distant from the earth, therefore wee thinke that parte of heauen to be nearer: so that the argument taken from the equall apparent magnitude of the starres cannot bee but true, and inferreth the roundenesse of the heauen. The. 5. argument is set from the motion of the starres, which is circular. 6. Againe the Spheri­call [Page]figure is fittest to mooue, and therefore moste [...]tte for the heauen, whose motion is continuall with­out intermission. 7. Moreouer by the forme of the partes namely the Starres, wee inferre the forme of the whole. 8. Also this standeth with reason, that the most perfect body should haue the most perfect forme, and therefore the heauen beyng so pure and perfect that the Philosophers wanting a name for the subiect mat­ter whereof it is made, haue called it a Quintessence, it [...]equireth also the most perfect forme which is Spheri­call and rounde, as may appeare by all the workes of God, where in this roundenesse is especially to bee ob­serued. 9. Last of all we may take an argument from our Astronomicall instruments which are most fitte be­ing rounde and are deriued from a circle. Thus much for the forme and figure of heauen.

You say then that the heauen is most perfectly rounde: and not onelie that, but you will haue it also to bee accounted a Solide bodie. By the worde Solide we commonly vnderstand that bodie which beyng made of some massie matter is not hollow within, but whole and intire through out. Must I conceaue the heauen to be so?

Common sence denieth that conceat. For you see the earth, the water, and whatsoeuer element else, or Elementate thing there is to be contayned within the coape of heauen, in so much that the matter of the hea­uen is not intire and Solide thorough out. But to the ende you may vnderstande this Soliditie aright, hear­ken I pray you vnto my wordes, and let the materiall Globe alone for a while. The whole worlde is diui­ded into two principall partes, the one Etheriall, the [Page]other Elementall. The Elementall parte compacted o [...] the 4. Elements, the fire, the aire, the water, and the earth is inuironed on euery side with the Etheriall parte which is the Heauen: which from the element of the fire vp­warde is Solide and hath no emptines in any place. Yet i [...] it not so Solide but that it is distinguished into certain [...] Spheres or (as we ought properly to tearme thē) Orbes, whereof each one mooueth diuersly. These Orbes are in number. 10. as may be gathered by the motion, occul­tation, and parallaxe of the Starres. The 10. which is the vppermost of all is called the primum mobile, it moo­ueth from the East directly towarde the West vpon the poles of the world, expressed by the poles of the Globe, within the space of 24. houres, and imparting his motion to the other. 9. it carieth them with him rounde about in the same time, so that whereas we see the Sunne, the Moone, & all the Starres to rise and set within that space, it commeth to passe not by their owne proper and pecu­liar motion, but by the violent and swifte motion of this first mooueable. The inferior. 9. Spheres mooue from the West towarde the East not directly in a line against the other, but from the West Southwest they bende to­ward the East Northeast. Some of these. 9. Spheres are beautified with Starres the other haue none. The ninth Sphere hath neuer a Starre, it is vsually called the Chri­stalline heauen (although that name be common also to the foresayd Sphere) because it is most cleare, and trans­parent, hauing no one parte thicker than an other. It maketh his proper and perfect reuolution as Ptolome affirmeth in 36000. as Albategnius writeth in 23760 as Alphonsus gathereth in 49000. yeares: the which time is thought to be Plato his great yeare, wherein he sayd [Page] [...]ach thing should returne to the former estate. Of those [...]pheres which are beautified with starres, some haue but [...]e starre, the other hath many: that which hath many is [...]he, 8. Sphere, otherwise called the Firmament, either be­ [...]ause beyng the vttermost of all (as antiquity iudged) it [...]rmely keepeth in & incōpasseth the rest, or else because [...] cōprehendeth those starres, whose distance one frō an [...]ther is firme & fixed, and not vncertaine as the other [...]re, and therefore also is called the Sphere of the fixed [...]tarres. This. 8. Sphere albeit it be partaker of the. 2. vp­permost (for as I sayd each vppermost Sphere imparteth his motion to all his inferiors) yet hath it a motion pro­perly belonging to it selfe, not perfect and absolutely [...]phericall, as the other motions are but winding from [...]he North to the Southward, in. 3500. yeares it reuolueth [...]he same way in the same time, making his whole accesse and recesse in. 7000. yeares. This motion is called the motion of Trepidation. The other. 7. Spheres which suc­ [...]eede are each one decked with one onely starre called a Planet, that is by interpretation a wandring Starre; not that it runneth at randon vncertainely, (for the motion of them all is most certainely knowne, as may appeare by the Eclipses which are foreseene an hundred yeare be­fore they come) but because their distance one from an other is neuer the same beyng, sometimes nearer, and sometimes farther of, therefore are they tearmed wan­ [...]ring starres. The vppermost of these. 7. is the Sphere of Saturne, whose motion is complete in. 29. yeares. 155. [...]ayes. 3. houres. 47. min. 44 sec. Iupiter next vnder him cōpasseth the Heauen by his proper course, in. 11. yeares, [...]14. dayes. 13. houres, 12. min. 4. sec. The Sphere of Mars finisheth his race in one yeare, 321. dayes. 16. houres. 34. [Page]min. 44. sec. The Spheres of the sunne, Venus; and Mer­curie run their course in one yeare, that is in. 365. dayes, 5. houres. 55. min. 26. sec. 10. thirds. 56. fourths. The which space of time is commonly called, a solare yeare. The Moone which is lowest of all & next to the Elementall region, maketh her reuolution in the space of. 27. dayes, 7. houres. 43. min. 7. sec. So that hereby you are to vnder­stande that albeit both the heauen it selfe and the ce­lestiall Globe be called a Solide bodie, yet there is this difference betweene them that the Globe consisteth of one peece, but the heauen of many Spheres or Orbes, and those as you haue hearde moouing sundry wayes & in diuers maners.

I doe beleeue you because, as the Prouerbe is, a learner must beleeue, but it seemeth vnpossible that the one Sphere should mooue one way, and the other an other way.

It is no more impossible for the one Sphere to mooue one way and the other an other way, than it is impossible for the Maister of a shippe to walke from the prowe to the poupe, that is from the South North­warde, whilest the ship runneth from the North South­warde.

Which of all these. 10. Spheres doth the celestiall Globe represent?

It representeth especially the. 10. Sphere.

But you said before that the starres are in the 8. Sphere which is the firmament.

It is true: but because the motion of the fixed Starres following the motion of the ninth Sphere from West to East, is so slowe and so litle, that in a mans life tyme it can hardly be perceaued, therefore without any [Page]great inconuenience we may place the fixed starres in the [...]face of the Globe, though it properly in respect of the [...]cles represent the tenth.

Why do you in the definition of the celestiall [...]obe put in these words (cōtayning in the cōuexitie)?

Thereby is expressed an other difference be­tweene that which wee behold in the heauen it selfe, and on the celestiall Globe. Our eye not beyng within the Globe beholdeth euery thing described thereupō on the outside: whereas notwithstanding we see the starres on [...]e innerside of heauen.

Why doe you say certaine circles, are there any more to be vnderstoode in the heauen, than are expres­sed in the Globe.

Yea a great many, the which I will both name and describe vnto you as occasion serueth. But for so much as these on the Globe are sufficient for a yong be­ [...]inner or a Nouice in Astronomie, therefore there are [...]o more described. Whereof one is Reall, the other are imaginarie.

What say you that some of these circles are ima­ginarie. What meane you thereby, would you haue vs thinke them to be deuises of an idle brayne?

Not so, their commoditie is singular in com­mon life beyng well vnderstood and applied to vse: but [...]herefore they are called Imaginarie because they are not expreslie to be seene in the heauen, but are in minde to be conceaued.

Well, let vs now come to those thinges which you saide are principallie to be obserued in the celestiall Globe, that is the circles and the starres with their Astro­nomicall appurtenances.

Here I will vse a Hysteron proteron as the Rh [...] ­toricians tearme it, and will set the carte before the hors [...] that is I will first speake of the Starres, and then of th [...] Circles, for so I thinke it fittest for your instruction.

As you please Sir, but what Methode and ord [...] shall wee obserue in them.

I thinke it not amisse to haue consideration [...] these two thinges: First, of the writing which I tearme [...] before the Astronomicall appertenances, then of th [...] starres themselues.

I pray you do so. I perceaue in the Globe that b [...] many of the Starres there are set downe the Character [...] of the Planets, sometimes one alone, as in the thighe [...] Gemini, what doth it signifie.

The Character doth expresse the nature of th [...] Starre vnto which it is adioyned, according as the Cha­racter doth importe. If it be the Character of Saturne, signifieth the Starre to be of his nature: if it be the Cha­racter of Iupiter, it signifieth the starre to be of his na­ture, and so forth of the rest.

Sometimes there are two Characters togethe [...] as in the fishe.

They betoken that starre to admit the nature [...] both the Planets.

Sometimes betweene the two Characters ther [...] standeth the letter P.

It signifieth the starre to be of the nature of th [...] Planet vnto whom the first Character doth belong, ye [...] partly also of the nature of the Planet, to whom the othe [...] Character apperteineth.

Sometimes the Characters are not ioyned with any one starre but are set downe by themselues alone, & [Page]before the Character there stādeth a letter as in the Lion.

It signifieth that all those starres to whom that [...]ter is adioyned, to be of the qualitie of that Planet, be­fore whose Character the same letter standeth.

I finde in the Globe certaine syllables, but they make not perfect wordes: as Card, or Car. Alf. or Al­ [...]. Reg.

Card. or Car. signifieth Cardanus, whose stu­ [...] in these sciences hath beene singular, and therfore his authoritie is great, and is often alleaged not onely for the [...]gnesse of the Starres, as where it is written Reg. Car. that is to say, Cardane counteth it a princely Starre, or a [...]arre of the first magnitude. But also for their qualitie [...] where you see it written by the bowe of Sagittarius the archer, the meaning is that Cardane accounteth that [...]arre to be of the nature of Iupiter & Mars. The like [...] to be vnderstood of Alf. or Alfon. which signifieth Alphonsus king of Aragon, whose great trauaile and [...]st in those studies hath purchased vnto him an eternall [...]me.

Let vs now come to the Starres for I see nothing [...]s to be doubted of, what order shalbe kept in discour­ [...]ng of them.

I thinke it sufficient to speake of their adiuncts, [...]amely of their quantitie and qualitie.

Then you minde not to speake of the diuision of [...]e Starres into seuerall kindes, nor of the matter where­of they are made.

No, for the starres expressed in the Globe are all of one kinde, that is fixed, and differ onely in quantitie or [...]ualitie, as for the matter, that belōgeth not to the Astro­ [...]omer, but to the Philosopher: so that whether they be [Page]the thicker parte of their Orbe, and are to their Or [...] as a knot to a tree, or whether they bee made of fire are firie stones let the Philosophers looke to that. I pu [...] ­pose onely to entreate as I haue sayde of their quanti [...] and qualitie. The quantitie of the starres is to be consid [...] ­red eyther in their number, or in their magnitude.

How many are there in the Globe?

There are 1025.

Are there no more in the heauen? We say com­monly that they are in number infinite.

It is without question that there are more [...] heauen, but yet they are not infinite in number, for [...] is written. Psalm. 147. He counteth the number [...] the Starres and calleth them all by their names. If the [...] may be counted and named, they are not infinite. Ther [...] ­fore when wee say that they are infinite, our meaning [...] that their number is exceeding great, as it appeareth. Ge­nesis 22. vers. 12.

Why then do the Astronomers keepe an accor [...] of no more seing their number is so great?

The heauen is to the Astronomer as a book therfore euen as a man looking vpon a booke lying farr [...] of from his sight, doth onely account those letters whic [...] he doth see & discerne: euē so the Astronomer, althoug [...] he see a great number of starres, yet maketh he accoūt [...] no more then these because he can distinguish no more.

Haue there no more beene noted heretofore, o [...] since the time that this number was first ratified?

Yes, for the Portugales traueling into Indi [...] haue brought home newes of certaine litle cloudes near vnto the South pole, & certaine stars, the which stars a [...] you may see are set downe by M. Mollineux in the Ce­lestiall [Page]Globe. Some of them being cōprehended within [...]e Crosse, and are cōmonly by our men called the Cro­ [...]ers, some of them are included in the South triangle, [...]hers are left in formed. So that their report argueth [...]at all the fixed starres were not obserued by Ptolomie [...]mselfe.

There is yet one question remaining touching the number of the starres. I obserue that in the winter the [...]umber of the starres seemeth more than in Summer: that should be the reason thereof?

You must note this that it most commonly fal­ [...]th out so when the weather is coldest, and the nightes [...]re frostie: and thereby I gather the chiefest reason, why [...] the winter the starres appeare so many to bee this, [...] Sommer the colde hauing no place left vnto it where­ [...] to be, but the middle region of the ayre, where it [...]axeth at that time most forceable by reason of the An­ [...]peristasis of the heate, it so engrosseth and thickeneth [...]e ayre, that the starres of the lesser magnitude beyng [...]ut weake in their beames cannot pearse it, and come to [...]ur sight: In winter this colde breaking the prison wher­ [...] it was pend before, & gathered thicke together, sprea­ [...]eth it selfe and becommeth more thinne, so that the ayre beyng more purged, and the grossenes thereof being [...]ken away, yeeldeth to the starres of smaller light, a free [...]nd readie passage through which they may sende there [...]eames vnto our sight. An other reason is thus alleaged, [...] winter because the ayre is more purged, the starres do [...]ine very forceably, whereupon it cōmeth to passe that our sight may be deceaued in them, and causeth vs to [...]hinke, that wee perceaue more starres than indeede wee wee doe: where as wee doe not see more starres, but [Page]onely certaine appearances of them procured by their vehement brightnes and twinckling, and by the waue­ring of the ayre. Let this also be an other reason: the nea­rer the Sunne is to the ground the more lightsome is the ayre aboue it, the more lightsome the ayre is the fewe [...] Starres are seene: therefore considering that in Summer the depression of the Sunne is but litle, and in winter great, whereby the ayre in the night time in Summer, is more lightened than in winter, herevpon it commeth to passe that the starres seeme fewer in Summer than in winter.

Thus much for the number of the starres: wha [...] is their Magnitude?

Their Magnitude is a certaine quantitie wher­by the starres differ one frō an other. The seuerall Mag­nitudes obserued in the starres are sixe, vnto the which are adioyned certaine other which are called of the La­tines Nebulosae, & Obscurae, cloudie and obscure o [...] darke starres. All there Magnitudes are expressed in the Globe, with seuerall formes set downe before the nose o [...] the Greater Beare, so that hauing an eye to those forme [...] you may easily learne what Magnitude any starre hath that is placed in the Globe.

How many starres are there of each seuerall Mag­nitude.

There are. 15. of the first Magnitude: of the se­cond. 45. of the third. 208. of the fourth. 474. of the fift. 217. of the sixt 49. The cloudie starres are. 5. the obscure. 9. But you must still remēber this, that in this account those starres are not cōtained which are inscribed in the Globe according to the report of the Portugals, yet their seue­rall Magnitudes may be knowne by their forme.

So I suppose, but yet these which you haue now counted make but 1022. you reckoned before 1025.

It is true: but you must note this, that com­ [...]ōly in rehearsing the number of the starres, the Astro­ [...]omers omit those which are in the haire of Berenice, if [...]hey be added the whole number is 1025.

Of what bignesse may the starres be?

Some of them are 107. some. 90. some. 72. times [...]igger than the earth. But of this matter I haue written [...]argely in my Booke concerning the vse of the Celestiall Globe in Plano, wherein you may satisfie your selfe cō ­cerning their quantitie.

The nexte thing to be spoken of touching the [...]tarres is their qualitie: what haue you to deliuer concer­ning that?

This worde qualitie hath a very large significa­tion, and may be applied almost to what soeuer is not of [...]he substance of the Starres. But I will speake onely of [...]heir twinckling and figure.

What is the cause why the starres do twinckle?

The continuall motion of the aire: in which [...]here are two motions to be considered: the one is pro­ [...]er to the aire, which is vpward in a right line: the other is vnproper receaued from the Heauens. For as the Hea­uen is caried about in the space of 24. houres, so doth it [...]ead with it what soeuer is moueable within it, whereby [...]t commeth to passe, that the forme of the Starres appea­ [...]ing in it is greatly distracted, so that it seemeth to vs to [...]ast forth sparkles, which we call the twinckling thereof. This may easily be confirmed by the water which run­ning on swiftly causeth the Starres which are by reflexiō [...]eene in it, to twinckle much more than they doe in the [Page]aire, by reason that it is a grosser bodie, and the motio [...] thereof is to vs more sensible than the motiō of the aire

If the motion of the aire be the cause of th [...] twinckling of the Starres, why should not the Plane [...] twinckle as well as they?

The reason why the Planets do not twinckle i [...] their nearenesse vnto vs, whereby it commeth to pass [...] that their beame is lesser troubled and distorted.

Doth the twinckling of the Starres signifie any thing?

It doth signifie the motion of the ayre general­lie: but if it bee more than vsuall it signifieth winde Thus much concerning that matter, now followeth the figure of the Starres. The figure is eyther common o [...] peculiar. The common figure considered in euery one is the roundenesse, for this wee holde that the figure of euerie Starre is rounde, and not three or foure square: of this there are sundrie argumentes. First, our sence which iudgeth the Starres to be rounde: a­gayne the most noble bodie as I saide before requireth the most noble forme: the most excellent bodies are the heauenly bodies: therefore they craue a rounde fi­gure for that of all other is counted most excellent. To conclude the Moone geueth vs a most certaine argument of this roundenesse: for she doth not onely appeare so at the full, but at all other times shee receaueth her light circularly from the Sunne.

Yet that is not alwayes so, for in the firste quarter and the thirde her light is parted with a right line.

The reason of that is yeelded by the Maisters of Perspectiue, who truely affirme that euery great cir­cle [Page]in Sphericall bodie standing full before our sight, [...]emeth to be a right line, This therefore shall serue for [...] confirmation of the common figure belonging to eue­ry Starre, which is their roundenesse. The peculiar fi­g [...]re is that which is considered but in some, and is cal­l [...]d a Constellation.

What is a Constellation?

A Constellation is a certaine number of starres r [...]presenting by there place, & order (after a certaine sort) the forme of some naturall, or artificiall thing. It is other­wise called an Asterisme, forme or figure.

Are all the stars inclosed within these cōstellatiōs.

You may easily see by the Globe they are not: there are. 108. exēpted by the ancient Astronomers which the called (informes) vnformed, yet of later time. 6. of thē [...]ue beene reduced into the figure of Antinous, and [...]ree into the haire of Berenice.

Why were the starres brought into cōstellatiōs?

For instructions sake: things cannot be taught [...]ithout names: to giue a name to euery one, had beene both troublesome for the Maister and for the Scholler: [...]oublesome for the Maister to deuise, troublesome for the Scholler to remēber. As the merchant therefore ca­ [...]eth all his billes of one kinde into one boxe: & out of [...]at boxe can fetch them as occasion serueth: euen so the [...]stronomers haue reduced many starres into one Con­ [...]llation, that thereby they may tell the better where to [...]eke them, and being founde how to expresse them.

Why did they bring them into these figures and into none other.

There be. 3. seuerall reasons which induced thē [...]ereunto. First these figures expresse some propertie of [Page]the Starres, as those of the Ramme to be hote, & drie, so [...] so is the Ramme: Andromeda chained betokeneth im­prisonment. The head of Medusa cut of signifieth th [...] losse of that member. Orion with his terrible, & threa­ning gesture importeth tempest, and terrible weather: th [...] Serpent, the Scorpion, and the Dragon, signifie poiso [...] the Bull insinuateth a melancholie passion, the Beare i [...] ­ferreth crueltie &c. Secondly some of the Starres if no [...] precisely, yet after a certaine sorte do represent such a fi­gure, and therefore that figure was assigned them: as fo [...] example the Crowne both North and South, the Sco [...] ­pion, and the Triangle partly represent the figure whic [...] they haue. The thirde cause was the continuance of th [...] memorie of some notable man, who either in regarde [...] their singular paines taken in Astronomie, or in regard of some other notable deede, had well deserued of man­kinde, as Hercules, Perseus, &c.

Are these constellations of any antiquitie, & wh [...] was the first author of them?

I neuer reade who was the first author of eac [...] particular constellation, we receaue them of Ptolomee and he receaued them of the Platonickes, so that the [...] antiquity is great. Thyestes the brother of Atreus is sai [...] to haue inuented the constellation of the Ramme: More ouer in the 38. chapter of Iob, there is mention made o [...] the Pleiades Orion, and Arcturus & Mazzaroth which some interprete the 12. signes: Iob liued in th [...] time of Abraham as Siderocrates maketh mention in his Booke, De commensurandis locorum distantijs.

How many constellations are there, and which are they?

There are 48. besides the Crosse & the South [Page] [...]angle, which are newly added in the last Globes. In the [...]orth parte there are. 21. namely. 1. Vrsa minor, the les­ [...] Beare. 2. Ʋrsa maior, the greater Beare. 3. Draco, the Dragon. 4. Cepheus. 5. Bootes or Arctophylax. 6. Corona Borea, the North crowne. 7. Engonasis, the [...]eeler. 8. Lyra, the Harpe. 9. Olor, the swanne. 10. Cas­s [...]peia. 11. Perseus. 12. Heniochus or Auriga, the [...]ter. 13. Serpentarius, the man holding the Serpent. [...] Serpens, the Serpent. 15. Sagitta, the Arrow. 16. A­ [...]ila, the Eagle. 17. Delphinus, the Dolphine. 18. Equi­s [...]ctio, the lesse Horse. 19. Pegasus, the winged Horse. [...] Andromeda. 21. Triangulus, the Triangle.

In the Zodiacke of the 8. Sphere or firmament there [...] 12. according to the number of the Signes. 1. Aries, [...]e Rāme. 2. Taurus, the Bull. 3. Gemini, the Twinnes. [...] Cancer, the Crabbe. 5. Leo, the Lion. 6. Ʋirgo, the [...]rgin. 7. Libra, the Ballāce. 8. Scorpius, the Scorpion. [...] Sagittarius, the Archer. 10. Capricornus, the Goate. [...] Aquarius, the Waterman. 12. Pisces, the Fishes.

In the South parte there are. 15. 1.Cetus, the Whale. [...] Orion. 3. Fluuius, the Riuer. 4. Lepus, the Hare. 5. Ca­ [...] maior, the greater Dogge. 6. Canis minor, the le [...] ­ [...]r Dogge. 7. Argo nauis, the Ship. 8. Hydra, the Snake. [...] Crater, the Cup. 10. Coruus, the Crowe. 11. Ceutau­ [...]is, the Cētaure. 12. Lupus, the Wolfe. 13. Lar, or Ara, [...]e Altar. 14. Corona Austrina, the South Garlande. [...]. Piscis Notius, the South Fish.

Yet me thinketh there be 2. which you haue not [...]amed, that is Antinous and Berenices hayre.

Those two were diuised since, and therefore are [...]ot vsually counted in the number of the Constellations [...]ut are reckoned among the informed Starres, as I said [...]efore.

Doe all Astronomers retaine these constellation and his number?

No, some count but. 44. some. 46. some. 52. some 72. But by the chiefest Astronomers the foresaid num­ber is retained.

Of which of all these Starres ought I to take no­tice especially?

It is good to know them all, or at leastwi [...] those which are of the first, second, and thirde Magni­tude. But you must especially bee acquainted with th [...] lesser Beare: for the Starre which is in the ende o [...] her tayle is called the Pole Starre, by reason of th [...] nearenesse thereof vnto the Pole, it is also called th [...] North Starre, and for the excellent vse, which it hat [...] in Cosmographie, it is called simplie the Starre. An [...] the North pole in respect of the nearenesse of the lesse [...] Beare, is called the pole Arcticke (for Arctos amon [...] the Grecians signifieth a Beare) and the South pole be­cause it is opposite, and right against the pole Arcticke [...] called the pole Antarcticke.

I coulde wishe (if it were not troublesome) th [...] you would deliuer to mee the poeticall reasons of these constellations because it is very pleasant.

It shall not neede if you desire them, you m [...] finde them set foorth at large in that litle booke whic [...] I named before called the vse of the Celestiall Globe [...] Plano.

Well then let them passe, and let vs now [...] come to the Circles of the Globe, and in them I woul [...] gladly learne these two thinges, what they are, and wha [...] vse they haue.

With a good will: but first you must no [...] [Page] [...]he manifolde signification of the worde, otherwise [...]ou may mistake your selfe greatly. The worde Cir­ [...]le is taken sometimes properly, sometimes vnproper­ [...]y. Properly a Circle is a rounde plane as Ramus [...]efineth it, or according to Euclide, it is a plaine fi­gure contained vnder one Line, which is called a Cir­ [...]umference, vnto the which all righte lines drawen [...]rom the Center are equall one to an other. In this [...]ence wee neuer simplie vse the worde Circle, speaking [...]f the Celestiall Globe, but wee vtter it periphrastical­ [...]e in this manner, the plane of the Equinoctiall Cir­cle, the plane of the Horizon, or Horizontall circle, &c. The worde Circle taken vnproperly, signifieth eyther a circumference which is a crooked line with­out breadth, or else it signifieth a surface, in both these significations, the worde Circle is vsed in the Celesti­ [...]ll Globe: be they perfectlie rounde or no, where­vpon we make this diuision of the Circles in the Globe: The Circles are eyther perfectlie rounde or vnperfectlie round.

Is it possible that there should be a circle in the Globe that is not perfectly rounde?

Doe you not see in the Globe a space contai­ned and inclosed on each sides with prickes, which hath certaine diuisions and goeth not on directly, and euen as the other circles doe.

Yes, it passeth by the bowe of the Archer, and from thence ascendeth to the Eagle, and so continueth to the Swanne, and to Cassiopeia, and downe to the Ar­cher, compassing the whole heauen round about: what may that circle be?

It is that great white circle which is really to [Page]be seene in heauen, by the Grecians it is called Galaxia by the Latines Lactea via, or Lacteus circulus, and by vs expressing word for word, it is called the milke waie [...] The best opinion touching this circle is this, that it is the parte of the firmament, neither so thinne as the othe [...] partes thereof, nor yet so thicke as the Starres thēselues [...] If it were so thinne as the other partes of heauen the [...] could it not retaine any light, but the light would passe through it, and not be seene: if it were as thicke as the Starres then would the light be so doubled in it, that i [...] would glister, and shine as the Starres themselues doe but beyng neither so thinne as the one, nor so thicke as the other, it becommeth of that whitenes which we see If you desire to reade the poeticall fables or other dis­courses touching this circle, you shall haue them also in my booke of the Globe in Plano.

What vse hath this circle in the heauen?

First, it limiteth the tropicall points whereof w [...] shall speake hereafter: Secondly, it is an argument vnto vs to prooue, that the Starres mooue not in the firma­ment, as fishes in the sea, or as birdes in the aire: For if that were so, it is most certaine that the Starres which are in this Circle at this present, would presently shifte the same, and passe aut of it into some other place of the 8. Sphere which neuer falleth so out: but common expe­rience witnesseth this, that the Starres which are now in the milke way, haue beene in it euer heretofore, and wee shall see them still continue therein, so long as the heauen indureth. Thus much for the vnperfect reall circle which is but one. Let vs now come to the perfect circles of the Globe, which are not really to be seene but in imagina­tion to be conceaued, vpon which the principall vse of [Page] [...]e Globe dependeth: A perfect rounde circle is that [...]hich lieth vniformally betweene his termes. In these [...]ircles this is first to be noted, that vnto euery one of [...]em belongeth Poles, and Graduation either expressed [...] vnderstood. The Poles of a circle are. 2. points concea­ [...]ed in the surface of the Globe, equally distant from eue­ [...] parte of that circle whose Poles they are sayd to be. Graduation is the diuiding of a circle in to certaine parts, wherof euery one is called a degree. The parts wherinto [...]uery circle of the Globe either is actually or imaginari­ly vnderstood to be diuided are. 360. Therefore a degree in nothing else but the. 360. part of a circle So that whē as we speake simply of a degree either of heauen or earth, or generally of a degree of any circle, it is not to be vnder­ [...]ood as a thing, that may be limited, and set downe by a­ny certaine measure, as by passes, or yardes, or miles, or inches, or such like quantities, because it is not of a cer­ [...]ine greatnesse euery where, but as the circle is greater or lesser, so doth the degree increase or decrease, and is [...]ide to be the. 360. parte of it, be it of what quantitie so­euer.

I praye you let vs wade a litle farther into this matter, tell me what was the reason why a cir­cle was diuided into these partes and not into any more or lesse?

The reason is this. The Cosmographer whether he haue to deale with heauen or earth, hath many occa­sions to diuide a circle into sundry partes, therfore it be­ [...]ooued him to choose such a number in the diuision of a circle, as might most conueniently be diuided by many diuisors: now for somuch as there could no number be founde of so small a quantitie, that might be diuided by [Page]so many diuisers as this number. 360. may be (for it ma [...] be diuided by. 1.2.3.4.5.6.8.9.10.12.15.18.20.24.30.36.40.45.60.72.90.120.180.) therefore they made [...] speciall choyse of this number, reiecting the custome [...] Eratosthenes and Hipparchus, whoe were wont to diuide a circle into. 83. partes. Neither doe the Cosmo­graphers onely graduate a circle, diuiding it into simple degrees, but they goe on farther and parte a degree into 60. minutes, a minute into. 60. secondes, a seconde into 60. thirdes, a thirde in. 60. fourthes, and so forth vntill they come to tenthes beyonde which number they do [...] not lightly passe.

Then I gather by your wordes, that a minut [...] is nothing else but the. 60. parte of a degree, and a se­cond is the. 60. parte of a minute, and a thirde is the 60. parte of a seconde, and a fourth is the. 60. parte o [...] a thirde, &c. But why did they choose this number. 60.

The Cosmographer was induced to choose this number. 60. by the same reason whereby hee wa [...] mooued to choose the foresayd number. 360. As in di­uiding of a circle so likewise in diuiding a degree, a mi­nute, a seconde, &c. He thought it most conuenient to take such a number as beyng but small might be diui­ded into most partes, and therefore to auoide the te­diousnesse of greater diuisions, he choose. 60. rather than any other, because there is none of so small a quantitie, that will admitte so many partitions for these number [...] may diuide it. 1.2.3.5.6.10.12.15.20.30. Thus much concerning the significations of the worde circle, and the common accidents thereof, which are Poles and Graduation, now I will proceede to their seuerall kinds. The perfect rounde circles imaginarily conceaued in the [Page] [...]eauen, and adscribed with the Globe, are eyther great [...]t litle. A great circle is that which cutteth the Globe [...]nto two equall peeces. As touching the Poles of the [...]reat circles this rule is generall, that if. 2. great circles [...]ut one an other at Right angles, the Poles of the one [...]ircle are in the other: also, if. 2. great circles cut one [...]n other at oblique angles, the Poles of the one are di­ [...]ant from the Poles of the other, so farre, as the grea­ [...]er declination or distance of the one circle is from the other. A great circle is eyther mooueable or fixed. A mooueable circle is that, which mooueth with the motion of the Globe. A mooueable circle, eythe li­eth betweene the Poles of the Globe, or passeth tho­rough them: The moueable circles, which lie betweene the Poles, are. 2. whereof the one lieth iust betweene them in the very middest, and is called the Equinoctiall [...]or Equator. So that the Equinoctiall may bee defined to bee a great mooueable circle of the Globe, lying iust in the middest betweene the. 2. Poles of the world: The other circle lyeth not iust betweene the. 2. Poles, but leaneth towarde eyther of them, and is called the E­clipticke, so that the Eclipticke may be defined to be a great mooueable circle, leaning towarde each pole of the worlde, alwaies cutting the Equinoctiall at oblique angles. The two points wherein it cutteth, the Equinocti­all are called the Equinoctiall pointes, and the two points wherin it swarueth most of all from the Equinoctiall, are called the Solstitiall points, or Tropicall points, the reason wherof I will declare hereafter. The moueable circles pas­sing through the Poles of the Globe are. 2. and they cut themselues at Right angles in the Poles: the one is called the Equinoctiall colour, the other is the Solstitiall colour. [Page]The Equinoctiall colour is a moueable great circle draw by the Poles of the world & the equinoctial points. The Solstitiall colour is a moueable great circle, passing tho­rough the Poles of the worlde, and the Solstitiall points, A great fixed circle, is a circle which followeth not the motion of the Globe, but standeth still whilest it turneth about. The fixed circles are. 2. cutting one another a [...] right angles, namely the Horizon, and the Meridian. The Horizon is a great fixed circle of the Globe, diui­ding the parte of the heauen which is seene, from tha [...] parte of the heauen which is not seene. The Meridia [...] is a great fixed circle of the Globe, cutting the Horizon at right angles. Thus are all the perfect great circles ex­pressed in the Globe. A litle circle is that which diui­deth the Globe into 2. equall peeces, and are all equally distant to the equator: The litle circles of the Globe ey­ther touche the Eclipticke, or are seuered from it. Those which touch the Eclipticke, are called Tropickes. A Tro­picke is a litle circle in the Globe, parallell to the Equi­noctiall, touching the Eclipticke in the Tropicall point. Those litle circles, which touche not the Eclipticke, are called Polare circles: A Polare circle is a litle circle in the Globle Parallell to the Equinoctiall, passing by the Poles of the Eclipticke. Thus haue you the briefe defi­nitions of the vsuall circles of the Globe, the other cir­cles shalbe defined as occasion serueth.

I pray you, now let vs draw neare to that, which I so greatly desire, that is the vse of the Globe.

The vse of the Celestiall Globe is eyther simple or mixte. The simple vse of the Globe, is when we worke and performe, a conclusion by the Globe it selfe, without the helpe of any forraine instrument: and that either by [Page] [...]ch circle alone, or by two or more of them taken to­ [...]ather. The mixt vse of the Globe is that, which be­ [...]e the Globe requireth the vse of forraine instruments. And for somuch as these seuerall vses of the Globe can­ [...]t so be distinguished one from another, but that of [...]cessitie now and then they must goe ioyntly together, I thinke it not a misse therefore before I goe any further, to make you acquainted with the instruments.

Doe so I pray you, and I will mooue such que­ [...]ons concerning them, as I shall thinke conuenient for my instruction.

The instrumēts are these: First a paire of Cala­ber cōpasses, whose feet must be bent inward according a [...] you see in the figure. A. The secōd is a Square with a [...]ūmet line, made in such forme as you see the figure B. The third is an houre circle as wee call it, with his In­ [...]ex, expressed in the figures C. and D. The fourth is a thinne ruler of brasse, bowed according to the conuexi­ [...]ie of the Globe, & diuided into the. 90. degree, made fast at the. 90. degree to a litle buttone of brasse, this instru­ment is called, the Quadrant of Altitude, and is expres­sed in the figure. E. The fifth is an halfe circle of brasse called a circle of Position, as in the figure F. The sixte i [...] an Index, which wee call a Sphericall Gnomon, the fourme whereof is expressed in the figure G. The se­uenth. is a Needle touched with the Loade stone.

To what end serue the Calaber compasses?

With them wee take the distance of any two things what soeuer propounded vpon the Globle, as of two Starres, or of any circle from a Starre: or of. 2. circles one from an other.

In what manner shall I take the two starres, and [Page]how shall I inferre their distance.

Stretch the one foote of your compasse fro [...] the centre of the one Starre, vnto the centre of the o­ther, then applie the feete of your compares to the [...] ­quator, the degrees of the Equator contained between [...] the feete of your compasses, expresse the distance of th [...] two Starres.

But what is that distance?

It is their distance onely in degrees, for we [...] cannot simplie expresse it otherwise, yet if you desire for your pleasure sake to knowe what number of mile [...] any two starres in the Globe are distant, one from an o­ther, note these my wordes and you shall know it. Th [...] Astronomers considering the huge quantitie of the starres compared with the Globe of the earth, haue con­cluded the compasse of the firmament to be in the out­side 1017562500. miles, and each degree to containe 2826562 ½. Therefore knowing how many degrees a­ny. 2 Starres are distant one from an other, if you multi­plie the number of degrees by the number of miles an­swereable to each degree, you shall finde the distance in miles, the centers of the. 2. starres beyng supposed to be in the conuexitie of the firmament.

I pray you giue me leaue to haue a litle more conference with you concerning the taking of the di­stance of any two Starres, or what soeuer thinges else vpon the Globe. You say, that I must stretch the one foote of my compasses from the centre of the one starre vnto the centre of the other, and afterwarde applie my compasses to the Equator, the degrees of the Equator contayned betweene their feete expresse how many de­grees the two Starres assigned are distant one from an [Page] [...]her. I take this rule to be certaine and true, when the [...]e foote of the compasses beyng set in the beginning of [...]egree, the other foote lighteth iuste in the ende of the [...]e, or of some other degree. But put case that the f [...]te of the compasses should fall betweene the begin­ [...]ng, and ende of a degree, what shall I then say?

You must pronounce the Starre to be distant (besides the whole degrees) so many minutes, as are con­tained betweene the beginning of the last degree, and the [...]der foote of your compasses.

But how shall I know how many minutes they are?

This question was conueniently mooued by you Philomathes, & giueth me occasiō to deliuer vnto you a rule, whereby not vpon the Globe onley, but vpon your Astrolabe also, or any such like Mathematical instru­mēt, you may find out, how many minutes there are cut [...] aboue the whole degrees, in this manner. When the [...]ote of your cōpasses lighteth betweene the beginning [...]end of any degree, make a pricke, where the said foote lighteth: then take the distance betweene the beginning of the last degree, & the pricke, & count it (beginning at which degree you please, and noting well where you be­gan) in the Equator. 60. times. The number of the de­grees comprehended betweene the place where you first began your accoūt, & the place wherin you finished the s [...]e, expresse the number of minutes contained in the foresaid space. As for exāple put case that the space con­tained betweene the beginning of some one degree, and the pricke made in the same degree, being counted. 60. times in the Equator do runne ouer. 30. whole degrees of t [...]e saide circle, then must you pronounce, that space to [Page]comprehende. 30. minutes. If beyng counted. 60. times reacheth but vnto. 15. degrees, then doth the saide spa [...] containe. 15. minutes, if it ouerrunne. 45. degrees, the [...] doth it answere to 45. minutes, &c.

I vnderstand you well. But againe suppose tha [...] the space contained betweene the beginning of the la [...] degree, and the pricke therein be so litle, that I cann [...] take it with my compasses, because (as it may fall ou [...] their feete will not come close enough together: Ho [...] shall I then know, how many minutes are contained [...] that small space.

When it happeneth so, that you cānot take th [...] space betweene the beginning of the degree & the pric [...] then take that space which is contained betweene th [...] pricke, and the latter ende of the degree. Count that. 60. times in the Equator marking how many degrees yo [...] doe runne ouer, subducte the number of those degre [...] from. 60. the remainder sheweth you, how many minute were comprised in the small space aforesaid. This also to be noted, that as you finde out the minutes, so ma [...] you finde the secondes and thirds, &c. of a degree. Fo [...] if (the small space aforesaid beyng counted. 60. times i [...] the Equator) the foote of your compasses doth not ligh [...] precisely vpon the ende of some degree, then take th [...] space betweene the last pricke made with you cōpasse [...] and the beginning of that degree, wherein that pricke [...] made, count it. 60. times in the Equator, as you did th [...] other before, the nūber of the degrees, which you runn [...] ouer, expresse the secondes, &c.

In this thing also I conceaue your meaning, le [...] vs proceede. Is there any thing to be obserued in taking the distance betweene two circles of the Globe, o [...] [Page]betweene some poynt assigned in the Globe, and a [...]rcle?

Yea, that there is, for you must take heed of this, that setting the one foote of your compasses in the one [...]rcle, you doe but touch the other circle with the other [...]ote: for the distance betweene two circles assigned, or betweene a point, or starre, and any circle is the shortest extention that may be: no the shortest extention frō [...]rcle to circle, or from point to point is, when the feete [...]f your compasse (standing in the one circle) cut not the other in two seuerall places, but touche it in one onely.

To what vse serueth the Plummet line?

It serueth to set the Globe vpright, which in [...]ome conclusions is necessarily required.

Vnto what parte of the Globe must it be applied?

It is most conueniently applied to the Horizon.

Vnto how many places of the Horizon must I [...]pplie it?

You must applie it vnto. 3. seuerall places at the [...]east, for setting it but in two you may chaunce to be de­ceaued.

The third instrument which you spake of is the houre circle, of what quantitie is it to be made?

The quātitie according to the vsuall māner is at your owne pleasure, respect beyng had to the quantitie of the Globe. The greater Globe may abide a greater houre circle, the lesser Globe a lesser, yet I would wishe you rather to exceede in the quantitie, that faile there­in, because we take this for a generall rule in any Mathe­maticall instrument, that the greater it is the more pre­cisenesse and pleasure is in the vse thereof.

Of what fashion would you haue it?

Of this fashion which here you see in the fi [...] gure C. But of what fashion soeuer it is made, it must b [...] so contriued that it may be taken of and on, from th [...] Globe at your discretion.

Where must this houre circle stande?

It must stande vppon the Meridian, so th [...] the axeltree of the Globe come iust through the cente [...] of it, and the circumference of it be equally distant from the Pole. Also you must obserue this: some Globe are so fastened to their Meridian, that the axeltree com­meth iust through the middest of the thickenesse of th [...] Meridian: Other Globes haue their axeltree fastene [...] to the right, other to the left side of the Meridian: the [...] ­fore when soeuer you set the houre circle on the Meri­dian, you must so place it that the line of, 12. a clocke both aboue, and beneath, be answereable directly to that part [...] of the Meridian, vnto which the axeltree of the Globe i [...] fastened.

Doe you like this fashion of the Index?

Yea: yet if it were but halfe the length of th [...] Diameter it were sufficient: but howsoeuer you make it, you must take heede that the points of it be iust in a right line, with the centre of the houre circle.

What is the vse of the houre circle with his In­dex?

The particular vse thereof shall appeare better hereafter in seuerall examples. The generall vse is when­soeuer there is my question made of time, or the partes thereof, as of a day, or houre, when the Sunne riseth, and setteth, &c.

What say you cōcerning the quadrāt of altitude?

The vse of this quadrant and where it must [...]nde, shall be declared herafter in the particular propo­ [...]ions.

What would you haue noted in the circle of po­sition?

The breadth of it is at your pleasure, the com­passe of it is the halfe of the Horizon: But in my cōceit it were much better if it were of such a Diameter, that the innerside standing vpright vpon the Horizon it may fall euen with the outside of the Meridian, for so it might be made fast to the Horizon, & the conclusions whereunto it serueth might be wrought the better, if there were ad­ded vnto it a small squire of brasse which might mooue vp and downe vpon it alwaies at right angles.

What is to be said touching the Spherical Gno­ [...]on, of what length would you haue it made?

As it is vsually made the length thereof is ne­ [...]er limited. What length soeuer it haue you must take­ [...]ed of this one thing, that it be so framed, that it may rise alwaies at right angles from the Globe.

How shall I finde that?

Finde some place in your Globe where two great circles meete togeather, as for example the pointe where the Equator, and the Eclipticke cut one an other: set one foote of your Compasses in their intersection and extend the other at your pleasure, making therewith [...]or 4. priuie markes in the circles that cut one another on each side of there intersection one. Then set your Sphericall Gnomon on this foresaide intersection, and keepe it fast, that it stirreth not, afterwardes set the one foote of your compasses in one of these priuie markes, & [...]tēd the other foote to the top of your Gnomon, if the [Page]foote of your compasses thus extended, will reach fro [...] the toppe of the Gnomon vnto all the other markes, it [...] a certaine argument that it is perpendicular to yo [...] Globe.

The last instrument which you speake of is a n [...] dle touched with the Loade stone. How would you ha [...] it made, and where should it stande?

Each man may follow his fancie, yet for my se [...] I would haue the boxe made so square as might be, breadth answereable to the Horizon of the Globe, the bottome of the boxe I would haue the. 32. pointes the cōpasse, with certaine subdiuisions as occasion sho [...] serue eyther more or lesser: also I would haue a li [...] drawne according to the variation of the Compasse, would not haue it fastened to any certaine place of t [...] Globe, but applied onely to the Southside of the Glo [...] so close as may be, vnto the East or Westside of the M [...] ­ridian as occasion requireth. Thus much for the inst [...] ­ments belonging to the Globe. Now you may take wh [...] course you please for the circles and their vse, eyther si [...] ­plie alone, or ioyntly together, or as they craue the hel [...] of these instruments.

I must needes confesse mine ignorance in the [...] matters to be great, and therefore I am willing to ta [...] the more payne, I pray you giue me leaue to aske, wh [...] I thinke good and I will take the Globe vnto me, and b [...] ­ginne with the Equator following from one to one, v [...] till I haue runne them ouer all. You say that the Equa­tor is a great circle lying iust in the middest betweene th [...] two Poles: therefore first I conclude this, that the Po [...] of the world are the Poles of the Equator: as for the d [...] ­grees of the Equator, I see that they are. 360. and that the [Page]number goeth on cōtinually from one to. 360. beginning [...]hat point of the Globe where the Eclipticke crossing [...]oth bende towarde the North pole.

You say true: These degrees for distinctiō sake from the degrees of other circles the Grecians doe call [...]vot, the Latines Tempora, that is times: because by them the seuerall times of the day, and night are limited, [...] when soeuer there is any question made of any time be it a day, or the partes thereof, it may well be resolued by the degrees of the Equator, yet the houre circle wher­of wee spake before doth serue for that purpose.

What is the reason of this name?

It is so called because when the Sunne is vnder this circle the day, and night are of an equall length.

By your leaue Sir, why doe you say (vnder this [...]cle) in common phrase of speach wee say, that the [...]nne is in the Equinoctiall, and in the Eclipticke, and in [...] Meridian, &c.

It is true that wee say so, but in these kinde of speaches wee vse the worde (in) for vnderneath, or right against. I tolde you before, that these circles, which are described in the Globe, are especially to be conceaued in the. 10. Sphere, and considering that the Sunne is in the. 7. Sphere beneath, therefore wee cannot trulie say that he [...] in the Equator, &c. But when wee say so, our meaning it this, that he is vnderneath, or right against some one [...] there circles, so that a right line drawne from the cen­ [...] of the worlde, through the centre of the Sunne, and continued vp to the. 10. Sphere, would light vpon that circle in the which the sunne is said to be. Wherefore to [...]eturne to my former speach, when soeuer the Sunne is [...] (that is to say vnderneath) this circle, the day, and the [Page]night through out the worlde are equall, wheresoeu [...] the Sunne riseth, & setteth within the space of. 24. houre and therefore it is called the Equator. The Grecia [...] call it [...], which worde for worde may be tea­med the Equidiall, but the Latines following the plea­santnesse of the worde, haue chosen rather the Equin [...] ­ctiall, deriuing the name from the night, & not from t [...] day, as the Grecians doe. This circle is also tearmed [...] girdle of the world, in regarde that it possesseth the mi [...] ­dle place betweene the poles, as a girdle on the body a man. The seafaring men for the excellent vse there doe call it the Line.

In that this circle lieth in the middest betwe [...] the two Poles, what haue I to note thereby.

Hereby the Globe is diuided into. 2. half [...] which we call Hemispheres, wherof the one is the No [...] Hemisphere frō the Equator to the Northpole, the oth [...] is the South. Item the Equator lying as it doth, is the b [...] ­ginning of all declination, whensoeuer therfore you sh [...] heare hereafter of the declination of the Starres, of [...] declinatiō of the Sūne, or of the signes, it must be coū [...] from this circle, and whatsoeuer is precisely in, or vn [...] this circle hath no declination. Last of all, in that the [...] quator lieth iust in the middest betweene the two Pol [...] of the worlde, wee are to note this, that it must need mooue vniformally according to the motion of the hea­uen, at no time faster than at an other, but looke how ma­ny degrees thereof arise, & set in one houre, so many de­grees arise, and set in euery other houre: as you you selfe may prooue hereafter, and therfore as I said it is th [...] measure, and rule of all time. Thus much concerning th [...] Equator simply considered in it selfe.

In the Eclipticke (for that is the next) me thin­ [...]th there doe many doubtes arise. You defined it to be a greate mooueable circle of the Globe, cutting the Equinoctiall at oblique angles, and declining from it 2 [...]. d. 30 m. towarde each pole of the worlde. There­fore by your generall rules set downe before concer­ning the Poles of the great circles, I maie conclude, that the poles of the Eclipticke are. 23. d. 30 m. from the poles of the world. But what is the chiefest ende of the Eclipticke?

The chiefest vse of this circle is to lay foorth vnto vs the proper motion of the Sunne, for euen as you see the Eclipticke line to trauerse the heauen obli­quely, and to decline bothe to the North, & to the South poles, euen so dothe the Sunne keepe his course neuer waruing from this line, but going on euery day from the West to the Eastwarde, almost one degree of this cir­ [...], that is to say. 59. m. 8. sec. 19, thirds, 37. fourths. He fi­ [...]sheth his course within the space of. 365. daies, 5. houres [...] min. 26. sec. 10. thirds, 56. fourths, which is the length of a yeare. Also this circle is the beginning of all Lati­tude, so that whatsoeuer is distant from this circle, either toward the one pole, or toward the other, is said to haue a Latitude, as you shall see hereafter, and whatsoeuer is in or vnder it hath no Latitude.

Then belike the Sunne neuer hath any Latitude, for, as you said euen now, the Sunne neuer swarueth frō the Ecliptike line.

You say true: this circle also serueth for the Longitude of all Starres, or what soeuer else is called in question in the heauen, the which Longitude how it is to be founde I will declare vnto you hereafter: It ser­ueth [Page]also for the Eclipses of the Sunne, or Moone, as you may gather by the name, for there is no Eclipse, but wh [...] the Sunne or Moone are bothe precisely in, or very near vnto this circle. To conclude, whensoeuer there is an question mooued of the rising, or setting, or any other thing else concerning the Sunne, wee must haue recou [...] to this circle, because it representeth as I saide euen not the progresse of the Sunne, and there is no day, but th [...] Sunne possesseth one degree, or an other of this circle the which degree must alwaies be sought out whens­euer there is any conclusion to be wrought concerni [...] the Sunne, or the place of the Sunne.

Are the degrees of the circle as many as the d [...] ­grees of the Equator?

I told you before that euery circle of the Glob [...] is either expresly diuided into 360. degrees, or else it is [...] be vnderstood to be so diuided. But herein is a differē [...] the degrees of the Equator go on continually from. 1. [...] 360. but the degrees of the Eclipticke doe not, for they [...] c [...] ­tinue but vnto. 30. and then beginne againe.

What is the reason of that proceeding?

That the yeare and the Eclipticke might be a [...] ­swereable one to an other, as the yeare is diuided into. [...] moneths, and euery moneth vsually hath. 30. daies, so th [...] Eclipticke is diuided into. 12. partes, whereof euerie on is called a signe, and euery signe containeth. 30. degrees.

What is a signe?

A signe is taken properly or vnproperly: Pro­perly a signe is the twelfth parte of the Eclipticke. So tha [...] if wee drawe a line from the center of the worlde to th [...] Eclipticke, what soeuer Planet, or Starre falleth precisely vpon that line, is saide to be in such or such a signe a [...] [Page]that line tendeth vnto.

What is a signe vnproperly taken?

If you marke my wordes, I will easily deliuer the whole matter vnto you but you must plucke vp your vnderstanding, for that whereof I speake is not to be seene but to be conceaued in the Globe. First therefore imagine, that in the surface of the Globe there were two circles drawen parallell to the Eclipticke, the one on the one side therof. 6. degrees distant from it, the other on the other side according to the same distance, so that from the one circle to the other there were. 12. degrees. These circles thus drawne must inclose within them a surface.

I vnderstande you: in the ringed Sphere I re­member it is called the Zodiacke, and it is parted into. 12. equall peeces, whereof euery parte is called a signe con­sayning in breadth. 12. degrees, and in length thirtie, and [...]esembleth that figure which the Geometricians call a Parallelogramme.

That is one signification of a figure. Then ima­gine that from the. 4. corners of this Parallelogramme there were drawne downe to the centre of the Globe (which representeth the centre of the worlde) a right line, so that they met altogether in one point, these lines with the Parallelogramme aforesaid must needes inclose a solide figure like a Pyrarnis: this is the second signifi­cation of a signe, and whatsoeuer is within the compasse of this pyramidicall figure, is saide to be in such or such a signe according as the denomination of the base doth importe. Thirdly, imagine that from the Poles of the E­clipticke there were drawen. 6. great circles diuiding the Eclipticke into. 12. equall partes, betweene each two halfe circles next adioyning there must needes be inclosed a [Page]surface like vnto that of the Globe, which [...] contayned betweene the Equator, and the Eclipticke, the which are in number. 12. and each of them is called a signe [...] whatsoeuer therefore is contayned from the one pole of the Eclipticke to the other within any of these surfaces, is sayde to bee in such or such a signe as the denomina­tion of each parte of the Eclipticke doth inferre, contay­ned in any one surface. Last of all, if from each side of this surface you imagine. 2. halfe circles to bee put into the Globe, so that they may concurre togeather in the axeltree, those halfe circles togeather with this crooked surface, will comprehende a Solide bodie, not vnlike vnto the twelfth parte of an apple beyng diuided equal­lie: of these bodies their wilbe twelue, whereof euerie one is called a signe: and hereby it commeth to passe that what soeuer is within the worlde may bee referred to some signe. Thus much for the signification of the worde.

Yet me thinketh you haue omitted one significa­tion: for I haue hearde these Constellations which are set foorth vpon the Globe called by the name of the twelue signes.

You say true and commonly in sunne Dials, you shall see the 12. signes painted according to these const [...] ­lations, but they are most vnproperly termed so: and in the vse of the Globe you must especiallie take heede that when there is mention made of any signe, you haue not recourse to these constellations but to the equal partition of the Eclipticke which are properly called the signes.

What other thing is to be noted in the signes?

Their expression, and their diuision. The signes [Page]are expressed two manner of wayes, eyther by Chara­cters, or else by names, bothe of them are diligently to bee obserued for their vse is manifolde. Their names and Characters are these: 1. Aries, the Ramme. ♈. [...]. Taurus, the Bull. ♉ 3. Gemini, the Twinnes. ♊. [...]. Cancer, the Crabbe. ♋. 5. Leo, the Lion. ♌. 6. Vir­go, the Virgin ♍. 7. Libra, the Ballance. ♎. 8. Scorpio, the Scorpion. ♏ 9. Sagittarius, the Archer. ♐. 10. Ca­pricornus, the Goate. ♑. 11. Aquarius, the Watermā. ♒. 12. Pisces, the Fishes. ♓. Euery signe as you see excepting one, receaueth his name from some liuing [...]aeature, and therefore that broade circle in the ringed Sphere, which you mentioned before (the which also is to be vnderstood in the Globe) is called the Zodiacke by the Grecians, who in their language call a liuing creature Zoon and Zodion. Yet some will haue it so called of Zoe life, because the Sunne passing to and fro in it, procureth life vnto liuing creatures.

What is the reason why they chose these names and none other?

Names are best taken from familiar thinges, wherewith wee are best acquainted: For somuch there­fore as the effectes of the Sunne in the course of the yeare are greatlie correspondent so certayne properties founde in these common things, therefore the Astrono­mers thought it good to intitle the signes by their names. As for example: wee know the Ramme to be of nature hotte and drie, carrying his chiefe credite in his fore­head, such is the effect of the Sunne in this signe. Therein he beginneth to make shewe of his heat, & with his heat he inferreth a drinesse, as may be seene by the Marche winds, which then begin to blow whē the Sunne entreth [Page]into this signe. The second signe is the Bull, whose force is more than the Rammes, and his complection is Me­lancholicke, euen so is the heate of the Sunne augmen­ted, and that melācholike humor beginneth to abounde. The thirde signe is Gemini the twinnes, which expres­seth the doubled force of the Sunne, and the naturall in­clination of each liuing thing vnto copulatiō at that time of the yeare. The fourth signe which is the Crabbe, ex­presseth the returne of the Sunne, and his going backe­warde as it were: for the Sunne after he is come to the head of this signe declineth no more from the Equator, but returneth againe nearer and nearer to that circle and here vpon the head of this signe is called the Tropicall point, and that tropicke which toucheth the Eclipticke in that point, is called the tropicke of Cancer. More­ouer forsomuch as the Lion of all other creatures is the strongest, and the hottest, and neuer freed of an ague, therefore the sift signe is called the Lion, to signifie the mighty strēgth that is in the heat of the Sūne, & the sub­iectiō of our bodies vnto feuers at that time of the yeare. The sixte signe is the Virgin, which signifieth that the Sunne in that signe bringeth forth no new thing, but ha­steneth euery thing forwarde to a ripenesse: euen as the Virgin of her selfe is barren, but groweth euery day riper and riper, as the course of nature doth require. The Bal­lance which is the seuenth signe doth import the equa­litie, and equall passing of the day and night, which are then of one length, when the Sunne entreth into this signe, so that the head of this signe & Aries are the Equi­noctiall points. The eight signe, which is the Scorpion, signifieth that euen as, if you take not heede of the faire countenaunce of that beast, you may be priuilie, and at [Page]vnawares smitten with his stinge, so also if you take not heede to your selfe, at that time when the Sunne posses­seth this signe, his faire shew in the morning may so de­ceaue you, that you may be ouertaken with a colde not thought on before night: Likewise the pearcing colde of the frost and snowe falling in the moneth of Nouember is resembled by the arrowe of the Archer which is the ninth signe. The tenth signe is the Goate: the Sunne cō ­ming vnto this signe declineth no farther from the Equa­tor, but beginneth then to clime, and mount alofte in respect of vs, that dwell to the Northwarde of that cir­cle, whereupon that tropicall circle which toucheth the Eclipticke line in the head of Capricorne, is called the tropicke of Capricorne: This mounting and climing of the Sunne, the Astronomers haue thought good to ex­presse by the figure of this beast, which of all other of that binde climeth most high, and is by nature Melancholicke answeareable to the season of the yeare. The Waterman in the. 11. signe, who putteth vs in minde of that aboun­dance of humors which raigne at that time. Last of all the Fishes [...]ng the. 12. signe, do admonish vs that when the Sunne is [...] his signe, the rayne is vsually so plentifull that euery thing may swimme therein, as the fishes in the Sea. There are other reasons of these names taken from the course of the vitall blood, and other humors felte in mans bodie when the Moone possesseth the foresaide signes, the which for breuitie sake I omit.

But are these reasons generall and may they go for currant, as well on the other side as on this side the Equinoctiall?

Not so: but for somuch as Astronomie was bredde on the Northside of the world, the Astronomers [Page]therefore haue applied their reasons especially vnto that parte. So that when wee are in that parte of the world which is beyonde the Equator, wee must vnderstand the contrarie to that, which wee saie, whilest wee are or this side, as for example, wee saie the springe beginne [...] when the Sunne entreth Aries, and the Summer whe [...] he entreth into Cancer, but to them it falleth out con­trariwise, and the beginning of the Spring must be ascri­bed vnto Libra, and the Summer vnto Capricorne: &c as hereafter you shall heare more at large.

Why is the first place among the signes ascribe to Aries?

The Astronomers alleadge certaine reason for it, which must be receaued fauourablie, because the are not necessarie, though sufficient to perswade a we willing minde: the reasons are these:

• 1. The Sunne comming vnto this signe, each thing beginneth to florish, and that season is most fittest for th [...] generation of all thinges, therefore it carrieth the preh [...] ­minence.
• 2. The North parte of the worlde hath a dignitie a­boue the South, in respect of the creation and the bi [...] of our Sauiour, & whatsoeuer excellent thing hath been since the worlde was made.
• 3. The Astronomers inhabiting the North parte o [...] the worlde, haue giuen the first place vnto this signe, be­cause it is the first of all those a which leane from the E [...] ­quinoctiall Northwarde.
• 4. Last of all, there be that affirme that the Sunne▪ when he was created, possessed this signe, and in that re­spect it ought to haue a dignitie aboue the other.

I praye you, now tell me are the signes all of on [...] [Page]kinde, or are they seuerally diuided and distinguished one [...]m an other?

They are not all of one kinde, but are diui­ded by their place and their qualitie. By their place they are distinguished foure seuerall wayes, which are not to be neglected because they haue much vse in Astrono­mie. First, in respect of their place some signes are saide to be Northerne, other are called Southerne. The Northerne signes are those which decline towarde the North pole: as ♈. ♉. ♊. ♋. ♌. ♍. The Southerne signes are those which decline to the Southwarde: as [...] ♏. ♐. ♑. ♒. ♓. Secondly, the signe in respect of their place are saide to bee opposite: as ♈. to ♎. ♉. [...] ♏. ♊. to ♐. ♋. to ♑. ♌. to ♒. ♍. to ♓.

Thirdly, some signes are named Cardinall, some Equi­noctiall some Tropicall, & Solstitiall. The Cardinal signes [...] ♈. ♋ ♎. ♑. so called because they are the mayne [...]ointes, and as were the thinges whereupon the foure quarters of the yeare are turned rounde, and haue e­gresse and regresse. For the Sunne cōming to the head of ♈. the spring beginneth, and the signes from thence to the head of Cancer, are called the Vernall signes, or the signes of the spring time, namely ♈. ♉. ♊. When the Sunne commeth to the head of ♋. the Summer com­meth in, and the three signes from thence, that is ♋. ♌. [...] appertaine to that season. The Haruest displayeth it selfe when the Sunne entreth into and ♎. and these three signes ♎. ♏. ♐. are called Autumnall signes, and are appropriate to that season. The winter beginneth when the Sunne toucheth the head of Capricorne, and these signes ♑. ♒. ♓. are attributed to that quarter of the [...]re. The Equinoctiall signes are ♈. & ♎. because the [Page]Sunne in those two points onely, and no more touche [...] the Equinoctiall line (as you may perceaue by the Glob [...] and then onely are the dayes and nights equall. The tr [...] ­picall and Solstitiall signes are all one, namely ♋ a [...] ♑. yet diuersly denominated because of sundry effec [...] which fall out in them. For somuch as the head of [...] and. ♑. are the limites and boundes of the Sunne eyth [...] comming to the Northward towarde vs, or declini [...] from vs to the Southwards, so that he passeth not bey [...] them, but returneth presently towarde the Equator, th [...] ­fore these signes are called the tropicall signes (as I pa [...] ­ly noted before) and the head of eyther signe is calle [...] tropicall point. These signes and points are called a [...] Solstitiall, because as the water, when it is a full sea, [...] neare a full sea, doth flow or ebbe so slowlie, that [...] thinke it to stande still, and therefore call it a still wa [...] euen so the Sunne cōming to these points is said to sla [...] (though his motion be continuall without ceassing) [...] that his declination from, or towarde the Equinocti [...] can hardly be discerned for the smalnesse thereof. T [...] signes also are diuersly distinguished according to th [...] qualitie, but it is not for me in this place to reckon the [...] because they belong to Iudiciall Astronomie, which c [...] ­leth some of them Masculine, some Feminine, some [...] ­urnall, some Nocturnall, some Mooueable, some Fix [...] some Common, &c. The qualities whereby the sig [...] are vsually distinguished are either Elementall or Hum [...] ­rall. So that the signes are diuided according to the. 4. [...] ­ments, and humors raigning in our bodies. The elem [...] ­tall qualities are such as are in the elements, as heate [...] colde, moisture, and drinesse. The fire is hote and drie, [...] are some signes, & are therefore called firie, as ♈. ♌ [...] [Page] [...] which because they are but. 3. in number, are called [...] the firie triplicitie. The ayre is moyst and hot, so [...] ♊. ♎. ♒. which make the ayrie triplicitie. The wa­ter is colde and moist, so are ♋. ♏. ♓. making the wa­ [...] triplicitie. The earth is drie & colde, so are ♉. ♍. ♑. [...]ich make the earthly triplicitie. The humorall quali­ties are such, as are in the. 4. humors of our bodies, and are answereable to the qualities of the. 4. Elements. The first [...]mor is choler, which is hot & drie like the fire, where­ [...] on the firie signes are called also cholerick. Bloud an­ [...]ereth in qualitie to the aire, which is hot and moist, [...]rfore the airie signes are also Sanguine. The water & [...] me agree in qualitie, being both cold & moist, so that [...] watrie signes are called flegmaticke. Melancholie and [...] earth are drie, & cold, the earthly signes therefore are [...]ed Melancholicke. And to the intent that you may [...]st easily carrie these qualities of the signes in memorie [...] this: Choose. 4. fingers of your hand, and call the first [...], the second earth, the thirde aire, the fourth water: [...]en in beginning at ♈ count the. 12. signes vpō your foure [...]gers, so shall you finde which are firie and cholericke that is hot and drie, which earthly and melancholicke, that is drie and colde: &c.

There arise in this place. 2. doubtes wherein I would gladly be resolued: First the Philosophers haue [...] downe this as a principle, that in heauen there is nei­ [...]er heate nor colde, in what respect then are the signes [...]de to be of these qualities. Secondly the naturall pla­ [...]g of the Elements is this, the fire is first and the ayre su [...]ceedeth, & then the water, the earth it self is last of all, what is therefore the reason of this disorderly placing of [...]e signes, why are the earthly signes in the second place?

The ancient Astronomers, men of great exper [...] ­ence, and paines, obseruing the sundry changes and alt [...] ­rations of all things here vpon earth, noted that the Su [...] and other planets cōming to certaine places of the he [...] ­uen, did moue some of these inferior bodies more th [...] othersome, and stirred vp their qualities more or lesse [...] or otherwise diminished thē. The qualities, whose au [...] ­mentation, diminution, & alteration they especially o [...] ­serued, were these beforenamed, because they were mo [...] subiect to cōmon sense. And cōsidering that as black a [...] white, so heate and cold, drynes and moisture cannot [...] in one, and the same subiect being contraries: therefo [...] they affirmed certain places to be hot, others to be col [...] some to be moist, and some to be dry, not actually as th [...] elements are, but vertually by their vertue and powe [...] From this experience I might draw an answere to yo [...] second question, that because they obserued in ♉. whic [...] is the second signe, the earthly qualities, that is drougth [...] and coldnes, therfore they placed the signes as they b [...] Yet I pray you also note this in the elements, there are [...] qualities one intensiue & predomināt, which is the chi [...] ­fest of the two, the other is remisse: as in the fire the pr [...] ­domināt quality is the heat, the remisse qualitie is the di [...] ­nes, these elements are changed one into another, not a [...] all aduentures, but successiuely from one to another thi [...] naturall change is fitly expressed by the placing of the n [...] signes. The fire which is intensiue hot cannot becom [...] moist immediatly, but it is always dry, yet may it lose hi [...] heate and become cold and dry, which are the qualitie [...] of the earth. The first signe therefore being firie, the se­cond is earthly, to signifie this naturall alteration. A­gaine the aire is intensiue moist, and remissiue hot, there­fore [Page]it cannot be dry, but it may lose his heate, and be­ [...]ome cold, as the water is, and therefore those 2. signes succeede one an other. I might deriue also a reason of this disorder from the seuerall aspects of the signes, which is not to be neglected in the eclipticke, for in this circle they are to be accounted.

What meane you by that word, aspect, which you say, is to be obserued in the signes?

An aspect is a position of the signes (it is a [...]hing incident also to the planets) in a determinate di­ [...]ance of the ecliptick line, from whence they may as it [...]ere beholde one another.

Hour many aspects are there?

Hauing regard vnto the Planets, there are fiue [...]spects, for they may be right vnder one an other, or else [...]hey may be in one and the same great circle drawne [...]rom the poles of the eclipticke through the center of [...]ach Planet: this aspect is called coniunction, and is ex­pressed with this character ☌. the other aspects are sex­tile, quadrature, trine, and opposition: these 4. are only in the signes, for the signes are not said to haue cōiuncti­on. Sextile is an aspect of the signes (or planets) when they are distant one from an other the sixt part of the e­clipticke that is 60. degrees, as ♈. and ♊. ♉. and ♋. &c. it is expressed thus. *. Quadrature is an aspect of the signes when they are distant one from an other 90. de­grees, which is the fourth part of the eclipticke, as ♈. and ♋. or ♋ and ♎. it is thus expressed □. Trine, which [...]s also called trigonall, or triangular, is an aspect of the signes, when they are distant one from an other the third part of the eclipticke, which is 120. degrees, as ♈ and ♌ the character of this aspect is this △. Opposition is [Page]an aspect of the Signes when they are distant. 180. de­grees, which is halfe the Eclipticke, so that the one signe is in the one ende of the Diameter, and the other signe in the other ende: as ♈. and ♎. or ♋. and ♑. this as­pect is expressed thus ☍.

What is the reason that the quintile is exēpted?

If you marke it, there is no aspect hetherto na­med, but the number, which giueth the denomination thereto, will exactly diuide. 12. for so much therefore as 5. from whence the quintile aspect, if there were any such, is to receaue his denomination cannot diuide. 12 exactly, therefore that aspect is excluded by the Astronomers. Thus much for the quantitie, that is the number of the aspects.

If there be any thing to be saide, touching their qualitie, I pray you let me heare it, it cannot be much be­sides the text.

The qualitie of the aspects is eyther certaine or vncertaine. The certaine is eyther good or badde bothe of them are either perfect or meane. The perfect good aspect is the trine because the signes, which beholde one an other in that aspect, agree in bothe their qualities: as ♈. and ♑. are both hot and drie: as ♉. and ♍. are both drie and colde, &c. The meane good aspect is the Sextile, because the signes placed in that aspect do in qua­litie partly agree, and partly disagree: as ♈. and ♊. agree in heate, but the one is drie the other moiste, yet are they not directly opposite. The badde aspects are the Qua­drature and the opposition. The vncertaine aspect is the coniunction for it is sometimes good, sometimes badde, according to the Planets which meete together. Out of the consideration of these aspects ariseth that disorderly [Page]placing of the Signes which was mentioned before. The Astronomers perceauing the contrarietie which fell out [...]implie nowe and then in the quartile aspecte, that the Signes, which were so placed, did oppugne one the o­ther sometimes in bothe the qualities, as ♈. and ♋. whereof the one is fierie, the other watrie, they could not dispose of the signes in that order as the elements are placed, for by that meanes the first signe should ne­ [...]er haue oppugned the fourth in both qualities, but they should alwaies haue agreed in the one, which thing was contrarie to their obseruation. Thus haue I briefe­lie run thourough those things which are simplie to be respected in the eclipticke. Let vs now proceede to the Colures.

What is the reason of that name?

Colurus properlie signifieth Cauda Mancus, maimed in the taile, for these circles (excepting one po­sition and situation of the sphere whereof I will speake hereafter) do alwayes appeare vnperfect. Their office is this, to distinguish the. 12. Signes, according as they are answerable to the foure seasons of the yeare, for you see them to diuide the Zodiacke into foure partes, whereof the one containeth the Vernall signes, the other the som­mer signes, &c. Moreouer, the Solstitiall colure passing through the head of ♋. affordeth vs alwaies the two poles of the eclipticke in this manner. If you turne the head of ♋ toward you, this is a certaine rule, that looke now farre the head of Cancer is aboue the equator, so farre is the north pole of the eclipticke beyond the north pole of the world, and the south pole of the eclipticke is so farre on this side the South pole of the world. If you turne the head of Capricorne toward you, it falleth [Page]out contrarywise.

I perceaue it well, for then the north pole of the eclipticke is on this side the north pole of the world, and the south pole of the eclipticke is beyond the south pole of the world so farre as the head of Capricorne is di­stant from the equator. Where are the poles of the 2. Colures?

There is no great vse of them in the Globe, yet if you desire to knowe where they be, the former generall rules will leade you to them: you shall finde the poles of the equinoctiall colure to be in the inter­sections of the equinoctiall, and the solstitiall colure: and the poles of the solstitiall colure to be in the inter­sections of the equinoctiall colure, and the equator [...] selfe. The graduation of the colures in the celestial Globes vsuallie is omitted, but in M. Mollineux his Globe, the equinoctiall colure is gratuated from the e­quator toward each pole of the world the solstitiall co­lure is gratuated from the eclipticke toward each pole thereof, to the intent that the Globe may be readie both for the declination and latitude of the Starres. Let vs now come to the Horizon. Wherein you must first vn­derstand, that the breadth which is geuen to the Hori­zon, or any other circle else generally belonging to the Globe, is not giuen vnto it as an Horizon (for simplie as it is an Horizon, or a circle of the sphere, it is a line without any breadth) but the breadth is allowed it for the degrees and other things necessarie for the vse of the Globe.

I vnderstand you well, but I pray you expresse vnto me particularlie what things these are that are in­scribed in the Horizon, and what vse they haue?

There are inscribed in the Horizon the 12. s [...]nes, the 12. moneths of the yeare, and the 32. windes (which are commonlie called the points of the Com­passe) both in english and latine.

Nay by your leaue Sir. I am not yet fully satis­ [...]ed, I minde to goe more particularlie to the matter. What degrees are those which are set in the inner side of the Horizon?

They are the degrees of the 12. signes, and the numbers that stand next vnto them are the numbers of the degrees of each seuerall signe from 10. to 10. In the third space next vnto the Horizon are set the names of the twelue signes with their characters, the name stan­deth at the beginning, the character at the ende of each signe.

But what meaneth the character which is in the [...]iddest of euery signe?

It signifieth that the signe is the house of that planet, vnto whome the character doth belong, as for example, Aries is the house of Mars, Taurus is the house of Venus, &c.

What is the reason why the first signe is set in the east point of the Horizon, and from thence succes­siuely they goe about by the North?

That is done to helpe the memorie of the no­uice in Astronomie, all the signes from the east, coun­ting about by the North to the West, are those which before I counted the Northern signes, the other are the Southern signes. The partitions which follow the names of the 12. signes, are the dayes of each seuerall moneth: next vnto them succeede the number of the dayes be­longing to each moneth.

But what meane the letters set vpon each seu [...] ­rall daie.

They are seuen letters of the alphabet answ [...] ­rable to the seuen dayes of the weeke: the letters a [...] iterated according as the dayes of the yeere doe requi [...] Of these letters, that which is appropriate to the Su [...] ­daie, is called the Dominicall letter for that yeare.

Whie? is not euerie yeare the same letter ap­propriate vnto the Sundaie? these letters keepe alwaie the same dayes of the moneth, for A serueth contin [...] allie the first of Ianuarie, B the second, C the third, & [...]

It is true that the letters are answerable [...] those dayes, yet doth the Dominicall letter change eu [...] ­rie yeare, and in the leape yeare there is two Domi [...] ­call letters. The reason why they change is this, there [...] in the yeare one day more than 52. weekes, as you m [...] perceaue by the letters, for the last of December, and th [...] first of Ianuarie are marked with one letter. If the [...] were iust 52. weekes, the Dominicall letter could neue [...] change, for then if the first day in the yeare were Su [...] ­day, the last day would be Saturday, and the first day [...] the next yeare continuallie would be Sunday againe, an [...] A would still be the Dominicall letter. But in respect [...] the odde day it falleth so out in euery common yeare that the yeare beginneth and endeth with the same day▪ as if the first of Ianuary be Sunday, the last of Decembe [...] that yeare is Sunday also, the first of the next yeare be­ing Monday, the Dominicall letter must needes change, and being A, it becommeth G, thus much shall suffice for that matter.

In that space where the number of the dayes are expressed, I note certaine letters to be written, name­ [...] [Page]K. N. and I. to what vse serue they?

They signifie the manner which the ancient [...] manes obserued, in expressing the dayes of euerie [...]oneth. They did not count their dayes from one to 30 or 31. as wee doe, but they diuided their moneth into three seuerall partes, which were Kalends, Nones, and Ides, according as the three foresayd letters doe import. The first day of euery moneth was called the Kalends, and therefore the letter K. is applied vnto it throughout the horizon. The other dayes of the Kalends, were they more, or lesse, did not succeede in the same moneth, but did goe before in the former moneth, and were counted backward. As for example, the Kalends of Ianuarie did not follow the first of Ianuarie, but went before in the moneth of December in this manner: the last of De­cember which is the 31. day, they called the day before the Kalends: the 30. of December was the third of the Kalends of Ianuarie, the 29. of December was the fourth [...] the Kalends of Ianuarie, and so they counted them to the 14. of the moneth of December, which was the 19. of the Kalends of Ianuarie. Which moneth had more Kalends, and which had lesse, may be gathered easily out of the horizon by the place of the letters. Also you may finde which moneth had more Nones, and which had l [...]sse. The number of the Ides in euery moneth was e­ [...]all, namely 8.

But were the Nones and the Ides counted back­ward as the Kalends were?

Yea, for where you see the letter N stand, that was the first of the Nones. As for example, the 5. of Ia­nuarie was the first of the Nones of Ianuarie, the last of the Nones was the 2. of Ianuarie, so that the Romanes [Page]account was contrarie to ours. Likewise, the 13 of Ia­nuarie was the first of the Ides, the last of the Ides wa [...] the sixt of Ianuarie. These things are to be regarded e­speciallie by the learned sort, that they may be skilfu [...] in the account of the ancient Romanes.

The next space which followeth containeth th [...] names of the moneths. I pray you let me haue a wo [...] or two with you concerning them, because not bein [...] skilfull in the Latine Authors, I cannot satisfie my sel [...] in many things, which I would gladlie knowe. Tell [...] I pray you hath this number of moneths bene continu­all, I speake of the Romanes.

No, for Romulus the first King of Rom [...] counted but 10. moneths to the yeare, according to th [...] time which a woman beareth her child in her wombe Numa Pompilius succeeding him, added other tw [...] moneths, namely Ianuarie, and Februarie, so that he [...] by he made the moneths of the yeare answerable to t [...] 12. signes. This number of the moneths hath continue still.

Hath the order of them bene all one from th [...] beginning.

Romulus, who was the first author of th [...] yeare, began it at the moneth of March, in the honour [...] Mars his father. Numa Pompilius adding two othe [...] moneths, made Ianuarie the first, and Februarie the la [...] moneth of the yeare, because it was consecrated to th [...] infernall gods. The Decemuiri afterwards ioyned Ia­nuarie and Februarie together, and made Februarie th [...] second moneth of the yeare.

What is the reason of their vnequall quantitie?

It was not possible that they should all be [...] [Page] [...] quantitie, because of the motion of the Sun making [...] seuerall dayes of the yeare, if the Sunne had gone [...]iselie euerie daie one degree of the Eclipticke, then [...]ht euerie moneth of the yeare haue had iust 30. da [...]es, but considering that there is fiue dayes more in th [...] yeare than there are degrees in the Eclipticke, it is [...] possible, but that fiue moneths must haue one odde [...]ai [...] more.

But now there are 7. moneths which haue 31. [...]es, and one moneth hath but 28.

It is so: first there were but fiue moneths that had 31. dayes, but Iulius Caesar tooke one daye [...] Februarie to put to Iulie, that as he thought him­ [...] inferior to no man, so his moneth should haue as [...]y dayes as anie other. Augustus Caesar succee­ [...]g him, and beeing as ambitious as his predecessor, [...]h drewe an other daie from Februarie, and ioyned it [...] his moneth August, to the ende that it might not be [...]rior to Iulie in the number of dayes.

Haue these names of the moneths continued [...]m the first beginning?

No. For the moneth of Iulie, because it was the fift from March, was called in olde time Quintilis, and August beeing the sixt, was called Sextilis. More­ [...]er, Domitianus Germanicus Emperour of Rome, [...]nged the name of September, and called it Ger­ [...]nicus, because in that moneth he ouerthrewe the G [...]rmanes. Hee changed also the name of October, and called it Domitianus after his owne name, but after his decease, those two moneths receaued their [...]uncient names againe.

What is the reason of these names?

The moneth of Ianuarie hath his name of [...] latine word Ianua, which signifieth a gate, a dore, o [...] entrie, because it is the first entrance into the yeare. [...] else it receaueth his name from Ianus the two fa [...] God, to whome this moneth was consecrated. Feb [...] ­arie receaued his name from the word Februus, wh [...] was the infernall God, otherwise called Pluto, to who [...] in this moneth the Romanes did sacrifice: or else of [...] ­brua, which were sacrifices, and ceremonies for p [...] ­ging of soules, which in this moneth especially they [...] ­fred to the Gods beneath. Some deriue it from the w [...] Febris, an ague, because in this moneth they were so [...] what rife. Marche receaueth his name from Mars [...] father of Romulus, and God of warre, as the Roma [...] accounted him, and in this moneth they began th [...] warlike prouision. Aprill, this moneth was conse [...] ­ted to Venus the mother of Aeneas, from whome [...] Romanes fet their discent. The Grecians called her [...] phrodite, to signifie, that she was bred of the foame [...] the sea, which is by them called aphros, and from the [...] they fet the name of this moneth, striking out the [...] calling it Aprill as it were Aphrill. But Varro think [...] it more conuenient to deriue the name from the La [...] word aperio, which signifieth to open, because the ea [...] beginneth then to be free from the binding force of [...] frost, and to send forth the grasse and other fruites. [...] moneth of May hath his name deriued sundry way [...] Some will haue it taken from the word Maius, that [...] Iupiter. Others deriue it from the Goddesse Maiest [...] daughter (as the poets will haue) of Honour, and Re [...] ­rence, because in this moneth the first worship of the [...] [Page] [...]ds began. Others take the name from Maia, the [...] of Vulcane, vnto whome, Vulcans high Priest [...] sacrifice in the Kalends of May, which is the first of [...] moneth. Others say, this moneth was so called of [...]ia the daughter of Atlas, and mother of Mercury [...] of Merchants, because in this moneth the Mer­ [...]ts offred sacrifice to Mercurie, and Maia. Last of [...] me affirme, that in this moneth Romulus diuided [...] people of Rome in maiores, & minores, that is, [...] the elder, and yonger sort. Hinc sua maiores tri­ [...]e vocabula Maio. So that this moneth receaued [...] [...]ame from the maiores, that is, the elder sorte. [...] hath his name also deriued from sundrie things, [...]e fetch the name from Iunius Brutus, by whome, [...]quinius, and the name of the Kings were expulsed [...]me. Others deriue the name from Iuno Moneta, [...] whome for her good admonition, and counsaile in [...]ng the fearefull earthquake at Rome, the Romances [...]cated a Chappell the first of this moneth: so that the [...]eth was called Iunonius, and afterwards Iunius, to [...]de the length of the word. Others call it Iune a [...]endo of ioyning, because in this moneth the Ro­ [...]es and Sabines were ioyned together in one citie. [...]ers take it from Iuuenta the Goddesse of youth, [...] wife of Hercules. Ouid writeth thus, Iunius a [...]num nomine dictus adest, that as May was deri­ [...] from the maiores, that is, the elder sort, so Iune [...]ld be deriued from the minores, that is, the yonger [...] Iulie is deriued from Iulius Caesar, who was borne [...] is moneth: it was first called Quintilis as I sayde [...]re. August taketh his denomination from Augu­ [...] because in that moneth he greatlie augmented the [Page]Empire of Rome, and came three times triumphing [...] the Citie. September is so called, because it is Septi [...] a Vere, the seuenth from the spring time, at which [...] as I noted before the auncient Romanes began t [...] moneths. Likewise October is the eight, Nouem [...] the ninth, December the tenth from the Spring. T [...] you heare the reason why euerie Moneth is called by [...] name. The great space which is next to the name [...] the moneths containe the names of certaine daies the which those that are written in the greater Rom [...] letters, are the names of the festiuall daies obserued [...] the Church of England.

What is the generall vse of placing the sig [...] and the moneths in the Horizon?

They serue to this purpose, the daye b [...] giuen to finde the place of the Sunne in the Ecliptic that is, what signe of the Eclipticke, and what degre [...] euery signe he doth possesse, with his entrance into [...] signe: and contrarywise, the degree which the Su [...] possesseth being knowen, and the signe to finde the [...] of the moneth, the which things are very necessari [...] the vse of the Globe. For many questions cannot e [...] be answered, except the place of the Sunne be know [...] The day therefore of the moneth being found out in [...] Horizon, the degree which standeth right against [...] day is the place of the Sunne. But considering that in [...] Leape yeare there is a day more than in the other th [...] yeares that went before it, and that day is put in [...] wayes immediatly after the 24. of Februarie, theref [...] in that yeare after the foresayde 24. day of Februa [...] if you seeke the place of the Sunne, you shall adde [...] daye more than the number of the daye is in w [...] [Page] [...]u seeks the place of the Sunne. As for example. If [...]u seeke it the eyght and twentith of Februarie, you [...] all take the fyrste of Marche: and if you seeke it [...] fyrste of Marche, you shall take the seconde of [...]rche, &c. For so shall you come nearest to the [...]th.

Why then doth not this table affoord the pre­ [...] place of the Sunne?

No, but it is done to helpe the nouice in [...]ronomie, vntill hee attaine vnto farther know­ [...]ge in that Arte, and this is sufficient for him, be­ [...]se in common practise hee shall neuer by sense finde [...]ifference betweene this, and the exact place of the [...]nne.

What meane the names of the moneths that [...]owe, howe chanceth it that they are twise set [...]wne?

The first of them is the new reformed Al­ [...]nacke of the Romanes proclaimed by Gregorie Pope [...] Rome. The other is that which our Countreyman [...]. hath lately set forth, contayning the true compu­ [...]on and reduction of the moneths to their first and [...]cient seates, the which were therefore set downe in [...] Horizon belonging to this Globe, that thereby [...]ght be seene the difference that is betweene our Ka­ [...]dar, and that of the new stile, and also that wee may [...]dily keepe an account according to our owne, and [...]ir Kalendar.

I praye you geue mee some instructions tou­ching thys matter: for I see some Globes that haue [...]yr Horizon described after the newe Romane Al­ [...]nacke (namely, those Globes which were made [Page]at Amsterdame, by Ieames Floris) the which tro [...] ­bleth me many times, because I cannot reduce them [...] our account.

You see this, that the newe Romane Alm [...] ­nacke preuenteth our 10. dayes, and the other preue [...] ­teth our 15. dayes, one rule applied orderlie to th [...] bothe shall be your direction in them: in this mann [...] If the day of the moneth be assigned according to [...] account, and you hauing none other Horizon butt t [...] which is made after the new stile, would notwithsta [...] ­ding know what degree and signe the Sunne possesse [...] adde tenne dayes vnto the number of the day propou [...] ­ded, and seeke that out in the horizon the degree of [...] signe which is correspondent to that day is the place [...] the Sunne. As for example, the 11. of August I desire [...] know the place of the Sunne by the Horizon made aft [...] the new stile. I adde 10. to the number of the daie it m [...] ­keth 21. which number I seeke in the Horizon, and rig [...] against it I finde the 27. degree and 30. min. of ♌.

But put case the question were propounded co [...] ­cerning the 24. of August, if I should put 10. to th [...] number, it maketh 34. how shall I make answere he [...] considering that August hath not so manie daies?

If the two numbers added together excee [...] the number of the daies belonging to the moneth ass [...] ­ned, take the daies of the moneth assigned from the t [...] ­tall summe, the number remayning is the dayes of th [...] moneth following, as in your example 24. and 10. ma [...] 34. August hath but 31. dayes, take them from 34. the [...] mainder 3. referreth me to the third of September: th [...] degree answering vnto that daie is the place of the Su [...] Contrary wise, if you knowe what degree of the Eclip­ [...]ke [Page]the Sunne possesseth, and by the Horizon of the [...]w stile you would know what day of the moneth it is [...] cording to our account, first seeke in the sayd Horizon [...] day opposite to that degree, and if it be possible, sub­ [...]ct 10. from the number, the remainder giueth the day [...] the moneth according to our account: as for ex­ [...]ple, if against the degree of the Sunne you finde the [...] day of any moneth, the day vpon which the Sunne [...]ssesseth that degree according to our account, is the 11. [...] of the same moneth.

But put case I cannot subduct tenne from the [...]mber of the day which standeth against the degree [...]gned?

Then adde that number to the number of the [...]es belonging to the moneth next before it, and sub­ [...]ct 10. from the totall summe, the remainder is the [...] of the moneth immediatlie going before, according [...]our account. As for example, the day answering to [...] degree of the Sunne in the Horizon of the new stile, [...]he sixt of August, forsomuch as I cannot subduct 10. [...]m this number, therefore I adde it vnto the 31. dayes [...] Iulie, the totall summe is 37. from whence I take 10. [...] remainder is the 27. of Iulie, vpon which day the [...]ne possesseth the same degree (namely, the 13. d. 5. m. [...] ♌) which he possessed the sixt of August according [...] he new account. This that I haue sayd touching the [...] Romane Kalendar, may be sayd of the other next [...]oyning to it, taking the number 15. for 10. To con­ [...]de, this is a generall rule for you to note, that what [...]gree soeuer in the Horizon you finde the Sunne to [...]ssesse the same degree, must be sought out in the E­ [...]ticke: the which degree wee call manie times simplie [Page]the Sunne, sometimes wee call it the place of the Sunn [...] and therefore whensoeuer wee saie bring the Sunne [...] the Meridian, or bring the place of the Sunne to [...] Meridian, &c. our meaning is, that you should bri [...] the degree of the eclipticke which the Sunne possesse [...] to the Meridian, or to the Horizon.

Do these degrees of the signes continuallie a [...] ­swere to the same dayes of the moneth?

No, but they may serue the turne 24. yeare, [...] 30. without great inconuenience. That they doe [...] keepe the same dayes of the moneth, you may see [...] the entrance of the Sunne into the equinoctiall poin [...] and into the solstitiall points: for the vernall eq [...] ­noctiall at the Incarnation of Christ, was the 25. [...] March, and the sommer solstice was the 24. of Iu [...] The Nicene Councell found the vernall equinoctiall [...] be the 21. of March, and now it is the eleuenth of [...] sayd moneth. The reason of this difference is, in [...] Iulius Caesars Almanack which wee follow, presupp [...] ­seth the yeare to be 365. dayes and 6. houres, which [...] ­ing greater than the yeare of the Sunne, it comm [...] hereby to passe, that the Solare yeare preuenteth [...] yeare of Iulius Caesar, and draweth by litle and [...] nearer vnto the first day of the moneth, so that in [...] to come the entrance of the Sunne into the head of [...] ­ries, which is the equinoctiall point, will be the first [...] March, if there be not a correction vsed. In the oth [...] spaces that followe are set the names of the wind [...] which commōlie wee call the 32. points of the comp [...] both in english and latine, to the intent that not only [...] learned, but the ignorant also might haue vse of them [...] the latine names the author thought good to follo [...] [Page] [...]. Lemnius, both in respect of the learning of the [...]ame, and also because the names which are vsed by [...]hers sauour rather of the Italian speach, than of the [...]cient Romane tong. The vse of them is excellent as [...]al be declared hereafter, both for the place of the rising and setting of the fixed starres, and the Sunne, and also for their coasting round about the heauen.

This is one thing that I would faine be resolued [...], why in saying the compasse as the mariners tearme [...] they begin at the North point, and so goe on from [...]ence Eastward, were it not as good to begin at the [...]ast where the Sunne alwaies riseth?

In deede if the Sunne did alwaies rise full East, [...] were conuenient the compasse should begin there: [...]ut they follow the Sunne, and for so much as the vt­ [...]rmost rising of the Sunne is at the North point of the [...]orizon, and beyond that he cannot rise, as you shall see [...]ereafter, therefore they begin there. Thus much con­ [...]erning those things which are described vpon the Ho­ [...]zon of the Globe, whereof the points of the compasse [...]ust be vnderstood in the Horizon of heauen, and be­ [...]des them certain degrees: for the quarter frō the East to the South, frō the West to the South, also frō the East to the North, and from the West to the North, is to be vn­ [...]ood to be deuided into 90. degrees, the nūber of which [...]egrees is not vsually expressed, because the degrees of [...]e signes next vnto the Globe may easily supply them. The reason why each quarter must be vnderstood to be [...]us diuided, is the differēce which is between the lear­ [...]ed & the cōmon mariner. The common mariner seing a star or the Sun to rise and set, vsually nameth the point [...]f the compasse vpon the which it appeared, as, that [Page]it riseth East, Northeast, or East, and by South. The l [...] ­ned Astronomer he counteth how many degrees th [...] rise from the East, and how many degrees they set fro [...] the West, as that the Sunne riseth 22. degrees 30. min [...] the Northward, or 11. degrees ¼. to the South wa [...] Therefore that you may quicklie vnderstād them both [...] you must accustome your selfe to turne the degrees [...] each quarter into the points of the Compasse, and co [...] ­trary wise the points of the compasse into degrees, [...] this manner. The whole circle is diuided into 360. [...] ­grees, therefore the 32 points of the compasse, and [...] 360. degrees are equall, the quarter of the circle cont [...] ­neth 90. degrees, and 8. points of the compasse, eu [...] point of the compasse therefore containeth 11 degr [...] two points containe 22. degr. ½. three points conta [...] 33. degrees. ¾. foure points containe 45. degrees. N [...] demaund what you thinke good concerning the Ho­ [...]zon, as it is to be conceaued in the heauen.

I haue diuers things to aske concerning [...] circle, I will fet them out of the definition: which [...] this. The Horizon is a great fixed circle of the Glo [...] diuiding that part of the heauen which is seene, f [...] that part of the heauen which is not seene. First tell [...] what is the reason of the name?

You obserue this, that when you stande [...] plaine champion countrie, where there is nothing [...] hinder your sight, that round about you there seeme [...] circle to be described, which is a representation of [...] circle whereof wee speake: beyond this circle you [...] [...] nothing, neither doth your sight passe it, but end [...] there, whereupon the Grecians haue called it the Ho [...] ­zon, of the word [...], which is finio, to ende, the [...] ­ [...]es [Page]also call if finitor, that is the ender, because it limi­ [...]h our sight.

You say it is a fixed circle: what meaneth that?

My meaning is, that it neuer stirreth nor mo­ [...]h, as it may be proued by a most certaine argument [...]ken from the poles thereof in this manner. The Hori­zon, as you may perceiue by the Globe, cutteth the me­ridian at right angles, the poles therefore of the Horizon (by that generall rule which I gaue you at the first) must [...]edes be in the Meridian, the one of them is that point [...] the Meridian, or that point of the heauen which is [...]ht ouer our head, and is called the Zenith, the other is [...]e point right vnder our feete, and is called the Nadir: [...] then the poles be the points directlie aboue, and di­ [...]ctlie beneath vs where wee stande, and no pole can [...]me nearer to his circle in one place than in an other, [...]t is alwayes equallie distant on euerie side from it, it must needes followe, that so long as wee stand still, the Horizon must be fixed, for if it should rise vpward, it [...]ust come nearer, if it should moue downeward, it [...]ust fall farther from the verticall point which is our [...]nith, and the pole of that circle.

What then? doth the Horizon moue when wee moue?

Not so: but that Horizon standeth still, and [...]u transport your selfe into another, so that you are [...]yd to change your Horizon.

Are there then so many Horizons?

Herein is the difference betweene the other circles of the Globe before named, and the Horizon, they are but one in the heauen, as one equator, one e­ [...]ipticke, &c. But the Horizons are infinite, not to be [Page]numbred, euery man hath his Horizon in truth, yea a [...] many points as there can be conceaued, in the halfe [...] the heauen so many Horizons are to be vnderstoode though not sensiblie to be discerned in a small space for the sensible alteration of our Horizon can hard [...] be perceaued in 400. furlongs, which amount vnto [...] miles.

You say that the Horizon diuideth the heauen, b [...] how doth it diuide it into equall, or into vnequall parts

It is a great circle, therefore it diuideth it in [...] equall partes.

When I looke round about me standing in [...] plaine champion feeld, doe I see iust the one halfe of th [...] heauen?

Here you must vnderstand, that the Horizo [...] is taken two seuerall wayes, the one is called rationall [...] naturall, because it is the true horizon represented by [...] horizon of the globe, and not by sence, but by geomet [...] call reason, to be comprehended to diuide the heau [...] equallie. The other is sensible and apparent: that i [...] it is that space of the land and sea which our eye sig [...] beholdeth, and from thence runneth on vnto the he [...] ­uen. And for so much as the centre of the Horizon is [...] our sight, the which is farre distant from the centre [...] the world, through which the diameter of the true Ho­rizon doth passe, therefore reason telleth vs this, tha [...] it cannot be so great as the other is, and consequently [...] cannot diuide the heauen into two equall parts: ye [...] considering that the Globe of the earth in respect of th [...] heauen is insensible, so that our sight cannot make [...] sensible distinction betweene each Horizon, therefore although our reason affirme an vnequalitie, wee ac­c [...]nt [Page]them equall.

Haue you any thing else to be added touching [...] Horizon?

As the equinoctiall is the beginning of all decli­n [...]ion, and the ecliptick is the beginning of all latitude i [...] [...]he celestiall globe, so is the Horizon the beginning of all eleuation, altitude, or height. Whatsoeuer is in the Horizon hath no eleuation, whatsoeuer is aboue it, hath a [...] eleuation more or lesse, as hereafter you shall heare. [...]s the beginning also of all depression. In it are coun­ [...]d the amplitude of euery thing, that riseth or setteth in the heauen, and the seuerall coasting of the Sun or stars, which is called the Azimuth or verticall circles, &c. But [...] vs now come to the Meridian. You see that it cut­teth the Horizon at right angles, and standeth so vpon [...] that it leaneth neither to the one hand nor to the o­ [...]er, therefore the poles of it must needes be in the Ho­ [...]zon, in the East and West points thereof. In it are con­ [...]ined the poles of the world, and the poles of the Ho­rizon, which I called before the Zenith, and the Nadir. The degrees thereof are 360. not continued as the de­grees of the equator, but are counted from 1. to 90. for so it is most conuenient for the raysing of the pole, and the equator aboue the Horizon. The vse of it simplie considered in it selfe, is the diuiding of the heauen into two equall partes, whereof the one is the East, and the [...]ther the West. Whatsoeuer is toward the rising of the Sunne, is the East, whatsoeuer is toward his setting is the West part of the world, and by it the day is distin­guished equally. From it (as you heard before) wee be­gin to account the points of the compasse, and the va­riation thereof.

Are the Meridians manie in number, or [...] there no more than one, as wee see in the Globe?

The Meridians are not so many as the Ho [...] ­rons in number, yet are they so many, that wee m [...] tearme them infinite in respect. Which way soeuer yo [...] goe the Horizon differeth, because your verticall po [...] differeth, but the Meridian differeth only betweene [...] East and West. If you goe North, or South, your Me [...] ­dian continuallie is the same, because your Zenith, [...] verticall point is alwaies in the selfesame line: so th [...] the Meridians in truth are so manie in number as the [...] are points betweene the South and North part of th [...] Globe, as you see it diuided by the Meridian, though [...] sence they cannot be discerned. Notwithstanding, w [...] commonlie count those that are of one Shire, or Ci [...] or Towne, to be vnder one Meridian, because the se [...] ­sible distinction of one Meridian is not perceaued scare [...] ­ly in 300. furlongs, which are 37. miles ½. Thus mu [...] touching the great circles of the Globe, as they are sim­plie considered by themselues, now of them iointly on [...] with an other, and first generallie without respect ha [...] vnto any certaine position of the Sphere. Here the [...] things do offer themselues to be considered, 1. the e­quall diuision of the great circles by the Horizon, 2. th [...] vniforme motion of the equator, 3. the declination, 4. the longitude, 5. the latitude, 6. the foure cardinall points o [...] the world, 7. the goodnes of the Globe. Howsoeuer the Globe is situated in the Horizon, be the pole higher o [...] lower from it, or iust in the same, the great circles of the Globe are equallie diuided by the Horizon, except they be conicident, and hid therewith.

May they then be hid with the Horizon?

Yea, there is none of them excepting the Meri­ [...]an, but in some position of the Sphere it may be iust in [...]e Horizon, and couered with it: as thus for example. [...] the two poles of the Globe be in the Horizon, the two [...]ures interchangeablie are in the Horizon. If the pole [...] rased 66. degrees 30. min▪ aboue the Horizon, the E­ [...]pticke is sometimes couered therewith, namely, when th [...]t tropicall point, which is next to the pole eleuated, [...]mmeth to the North side of the Meridian. Last of all [...]en the pole is in the Zenith equallie distinct on euerie [...]e from the Meridian, then is the equator continuallie in the Horizon. What is to be noted thereby I will de­ [...]re vnto you hereafter, only marke you my words at [...] time. Otherwise the great circles are equally diuided [...] the Horizon: whereby you shall note this touching [...] equator, that whensoeuer the Sunne commeth vnto [...]t circle, the day and the night is of an equall length. [...]o concerning the Eclipticke you see this, that there [...] alwayes sixe signes aboue, and sixe beneath (sauing [...] that verie moment of time, which I spake of euen [...]w) and therefore when any signe doth rise, the oppo­si [...] signe doth alwayes set, as if ♈ arise, ♎ doth set, if ♋ [...], ♑ doth arise. And contrary wise, the second thing to be noted, is the vniforme rising and setting of the equa­ [...] ▪ which (howsoeuer the Globe be set) riseth and set­ [...] neither faster nor slower at any one time more than [...] [...]n other, whereupon as I sayd before it is the mea­sure of all time, the intire reuolution of it is the measure of [...]4. houres, and the rising of euerie 15. degrees is the m [...] sure of an houre.

How shall I induce my selfe to beleeue this v­niforme motion of the equator?

First, the situation of the equator in the middes [...] of the globe betweene the two poles, may moue you t [...] beleeue it: euen as therefore the motion of the heaue [...] is certaine & doth not moue but equally, so doth the [...] quinoctiall moue also. Secōdly, it maketh the same angl [...] with the Horizon in any certaine position of the Sphe [...] without alteration, which thing the ecliptick doth not▪

How shall I know that?

Raise the the pole of the globe as high as yo [...] please aboue the Horizon, as for example 50. degree [...] The angle which the equator maketh with the horizo [...] will be 40. broad, as you may perceiue by the degrees [...] the meridian intercepted between them bothe. The turne the globe round, and that angle will still continu [...] of the same quantitie: but the angle which the eclptic [...] maketh with the horizon will varie diuerslie. Last of [...] the vniforme rising and setting of the equator, may [...] perceiued by the houre circle, for if you place it as yo [...] were taught before, and apply the index vnto twelue [...] clocke, and then marke what degree of the equator is [...] the East or West side of the meridian, in mouing [...] globe, vntill the Index light vpon one a clocke, you sh [...] finde 15. degrees of the equator to rise, and to set, and consequently it will fall out from houre to houre. A [...] heere I must put you in minde of one thing, that for [...] much as the equator is the measure of time, the you [...] students in Astronomy ought diligētly to endeuor th [...] selues to be cunning, and ready to conuert the degree minutes, seconds, &c. of the equator, into parts of tim [...] and contrarywise the parts of time into degrees of the [...] ­quator, the which thing is most easy vnto them that [...] skilfull in the rule of proportion, for if 15. degr. do ye [...] [Page]houre, they may easily infer what 30. or 40. degr. &c. [...]l yeeld: and againe, if 1. houre giue 15. degr. what shal 2.3. or 4. houres yeeld, &c. The third thing which cra­ [...]eth no certaine position of the Sphere is the declinati­o [...], a thing to be noted by all students in Astronomie. Declination is the distance of any thing in the celestiall Globe from the equator measured by the degrees of a great circle drawen from the poles of the world.

But what great circle is that, by whose degrees the declination is to be measured?

It is that great circle which is drawen frō the poles of the world through the center of that thing whose de­clination I would know by the globe. But for so much as it were an infinite and an impossible worke to drawe through euery point assigned a circle, therfore wee make [...] meridian the common instrument to finde the de­clination. So that whether wee seeke the declination [...]ny starre in the heauen, or whether we seeke the de­ [...]ation of any point assigned in the eclipticke (which [...]earmed also the declination of the Sunne, because the [...]ne alwayes possesseth one degree or other of the e­ [...]pticke) this is your rule: If you bring the starre or any assigned degree of the eclipticke vnto the meridian, the degrees of the meridian intercepted between the equa­tor, & the asigned star or degree, expresse the declinatiō.

You say that I must bring the starre or degree as­ [...]ned to the meridian, but is it no matter vnto which [...]ide of the meridian I bring it?

Yes, it is a great matter. Here therefore you must call to minde that which I told you before, concerning the applying of the houre circle vnto the meridian. If the [...]elcree of the globe come through the midst of the me­ridian, [Page]or be aplied to the right or left side of the merid [...] an, the starre or degree assigned, whose declination yo [...] would know, must be aplied to the Meridian accordin [...] ly, either to the middest, to the right or left side there [...] ▪

You sayd before, that the equator was the b [...] ginning of all declination, and whatsoeuer is vnder th [...] circle, hath no declination, whereupon I may infer [...] this, that the heads of ♈ and ♎ haue no declination.

It is true: but what point soeuer is either [...] the one side, or the other of the equator, it hath a dec [...] nation according to the denomination of the pole [...] ­ward which it declineth.

Then all declination is either Northern or So [...] ­therne, whether it be of the Sunne or Starres. But wh [...] is the greatest quantitie that they may haue?

The termes and limits of the declination as y [...] haue heard is the equator, and the thing propounde [...] whose declination you would know. The greatest dec [...] nation therefore of any thing propounded, cannot [...] more than 90. degrees, because nothing can be farth [...] distant from the equator than 90 degrees, the po [...] therefore haue the greatest declination, and whatsoe [...] it is that commeth nearest vnto them, hath a gre [...] declination than that which is farther off from the [...] whatsoeuer is nearest the equator, hath the least decli [...] tion. The chiefest regard of the greatest declination is [...] the eclipticke, wherein 2. points haue greater declinati [...] than all the rest, namely, the heads of ♋ and ♑, whi [...] decline according to the latter obseruations 23. d. 28. [...]

Why hath there bene a difference found in tha [...]

As there hath bene a difference found in th [...] declination of the fixed starres by reason of the moti [...] [Page] [...] the ninth Sphere, so in regard of the motion of trepi­ [...]tion belonging to the eight Sphere, the Sunne doth [...]nge his greatest declination. Ptolemee founde the [...]atest declination to be 23. d. 51. min 20. s. Io. Regio­ [...]ntanus auouched it to be 23. d. 30. min. Copernicus pronounced it to be 23. d. 28. m. All the other points of [...] eclipticke are of a lesser declination, according as they are nearer to the equinoctiall, and in them this is a generall rule, that those points of the eclipticke which [...] opposite, or equallie distant from the equinoctiall points haue equall declination, as ♉ and ♏. being op­posite, item ♉ and ♓. or ♉ and ♍. which are of equall [...]stance from the equinoctiall points, haue equall de­clination.

Hetherto you haue made the Meridian the [...]mmon measurer of the declination: but may I not [...]de it otherwise?

Yes you may finde it by your compasses more [...]ecisely in this manner: set one foote of your com­ [...]sses in any starre propounded, or in any degree of the [...]clipticke, whose declination you desire, and turne the other foote of them to the equator, or any other circle parallell vnto the equator, putting the said foote out, or pulling it in, vntill you do but touch the circle. Then ap­p [...]e your compasses to the equinoctiall line, and obserue the number of degrees intercepted betweene them, for they expresse the declination.

What commoditie doth the knowledge of the declination bring?

First, it helpeth vs to finde the heigth of the pole, as I will teach you hereafter when I speake of the [...]eigth of the starres and Sunne. Secondly, it bringeth vs [Page]to the knowledge of the place of the Sunne. Last of a [...] it bringeth forth the day of the moneth.

Tell mee the declination being knowen (as s [...] example, suppose I know the Sunne to decline 11. de [...] 30. m.) how shall I finde the place of the Sunne?

Forsomuch as 4. meane points of the ecliptio [...] haue equall declination (as I said euen now) there m [...] therefore consideration be had of the time of the yea [...] as, whether the Sunne be supposed to haue this declin [...] tion in the spring, or in the sommer, &c. For the dec [...] nation propounded, must be sought out only in that p [...] of the eclipticke which is correspondent to the seaso [...] then is your rule this: if the quarter of the ecliptick [...] swerable to the season propounded, be applied to [...] meridian, the degree of the eclipticke, which falleth [...] vnder the assigned declination, is the place of the Sun [...] so if it be spring time, the Sunne declining 11. d. 30. [...] must needes possesse the head of ♉. if it be sommer, [...] possesseth the head of ♍ &c.

Hereby me thinketh I could answere the [...] proposition my selfe.

Let me see: the declination of the Sunne be [...] giuen, how can you finde the day of the moneth?

If the degree which the Sun possesseth being fo [...] out by the former proposition, be sought for afterwa [...] in the horizon of the Globe, the day of the mon [...] which standeth right against it, is the day required, [...] for example, the Sunne in the Spring time declineth [...] d. 30. m. by the former proposition I finde his place to [...] the head of ♉. vnto the which in the horizon of t [...] globe I finde the ende of the tenth of Aprill to answe [...] ▪

You saie true: the fourth thing which craue [...] [Page] [...] certaine position of the Globe is the Longitude: this [...]ay belong to any point assigned in the Globe, but ge­nerally wee seeke the longitude either of the Starres, or of the degrees of the eclipticke, wherby also wee count [...]e longitude of the Sunne. The beginning of longi­ [...]de is the head of ♉, the circle wherein it is counted [...]nd measured is the eclipticke. The extremitie or ende of the longitude in respect of the Starres which are di­stant from the eclipticke toward either pole thereof, is [...]at point of the eclipticke, vpon which, that great [...]cle lighteth, which is drawne from the poles of the [...]lipticke through the centre of the starre. But in re­ [...]ct of the eclipticke it selfe, or in regard of any starre, [...] the sunne supposed to be in the eclipticke, the end or [...]it of longitude is that degree, which the sunne or starre is supposed to possesse. Hereupon wee define the [...]gitude thus. The longitude is an arcke of the eclip­ [...]ke, contained according to the naturall succession of the signes betweene the head of ♈, and that great circle, [...]hich is drawne from the poles of the eclipticke, through the point assigned in the Globe. Heere you must note this, that forsomuch as the head of ♈ is the beginning of all longitude, therefore whatsoeuer is con­tained vnder the halfe of that great circle, which is [...]wen frō the one pole of the eclipticke through that [...]int vnto the other, hath no longitude at all. The other [...]ints assigned in the globe, may increase in longitude [...]to 360. degrees, than the which there can be no grea­te [...], because they are the degrees of the whole eclipticke.

You say, that the longitude is an arcke of the e­clipticke, but how shall I expresse it: as for example. [...] I be demaunded of the Longitude of the Starre [Page]called the Lions hart, what shall I say, that it is an ar [...] of the eclipticke, &c? me thinketh that were somewh [...] absurd.

If you should answere so your answere we [...] true: but for your instruction note this, that when [...] be demanded of the Longitude of the Sunne or starr [...] wee make answere two seuerall waies, sometimes by [...] degrees of the signe vpon which the great circle falle [...] which is drawen frō the poles of the eclipticke throu [...] the centre therof: so wee say, that the Longitude of [...] Lions hart is the 23. d. 43. m. of Leo. Sometimes [...] answere by the continuall succession of the degrees co [...] ­tained in the arcke of the eclipticke, for wee say the Lio­ [...] hart hath Longitude 143. d. 43. m.

But the degrees of the eclipticke are not [...] downe in continuall succession vpon the Globe.

It is true, and therefore the Longitude vp [...] the Globe is not found, but according to the signes, [...] their degrees. Yet if for euerie whole signe you co [...] 30. degrees, and vnto that summe adde the odde degre [...] and minutes remayning, if there be anie, the totall is [...] Longitude according to the continuall succession, as [...] example, the Lions hart is in the 23. d. 43. m. of Leo. [...] ­fore Leo there are 4. whole signes, therefore I take fo [...] times 30. which make 120. vnto which I adde the o [...] degrees, and minutes remayning, which are 23. d. 43. [...] the totall summe 143. d. 43. m. is the Longitude, acco [...] ding to the continuall succession of the degrees.

You sayd, that in finding the declination, [...] meridian circle is a fit and conuenient instrument: [...] what shall wee haue to finde the longitude.

It were conuenient for this purpose and for [...] [Page]latitude whereof I am to speake, to haue a semicircle [...]de fast to each pole of the eclipticke when occasion [...]uld serue, diuided into 180. degrees, so that the quar­ [...] [...]rom the eclipticke to each pole should containe 90. [...]erwise you must vse the quadrant of altitude, ap­ [...]ng the 90. degree thereof vnto the pole of the eclip­ [...]e, and bringing the edge of the quadrant through [...] centre of the starre. But if you could so order the [...]ter that the Globe might be taken off from the me­ [...]an, and the poles of the eclipticke fastened thereto [...]he poles of the equator are, then were it most com­ [...]dious for this purpose, and for the finding of the la­ [...]de of the starres, which is the fift generall thing to be [...]ed in the vse of the Globe, without any certaine po­ [...]n regarded.

What is the Latitude?

I told you, that as the equator was the begin­ [...]g of all declination, so is the eclipticke the beginning [...]ll latitude in the celestiall Globe. Whatsoeuer there­ [...] is iust vnder the eclipticke, hath no latitude, as the [...]ne who keepeth alwayes vnderneath it. The lati­ [...]e then which is afforded by the celestiall Globe, is of [...] starres that are not vnder the eclipticke, it is defined [...]. Latitude is the distance of a starre from the eclip­ [...]e measured by the degrees of a great circle drawne [...] the poles of the eclipticke through the centre of [...] starre propounded.

Therefore if I take the quadrant of altitude, or the halfe circle, which you spake of before, and applie it to the poles of the eclipticke, bringing it close to [...] starre assigned, the degrees which are contained [...]weene the eclipticke, and the starre, expresse the la­titude [Page]thereof. But put case I wanted bothe of the [...] might I not finde the Latitude by the Compasses?

Yes in such manner as I taught you to fin [...] the declination. If you set one foote of your compa [...] in the centre of the Starre, and take the shortest exte [...] tion (as wee call it) between the said centre and the [...] ­cliptick, the degrees of the equator contained betwe [...] the feete of your Compasses afford the Latitude, [...] which must be pronounced to be either North or So [...] according as it leaneth to the Poles. What Starre s [...] ­uer leaneth from the eclipticke toward the North p [...] hath North latitude, and what soeuer leaneth tow [...] the South pole, hath South latitude.

What vse hath the longitude and the latitude

They serue to finde out the Starres of the Glo [...] which are easily found if I knowe these two things [...] I applie the quadrant of altitude to the pole of the [...] ­clipticke either North or South as the denominatio [...] [...] the Latitude doth direct me, and bring the ende the [...] to the degree of Longitude, the Latitude being coun [...] in the quadrant, will bring me directlie to the place [...] the Starre. Moreouer, wee cannot so conuenientlie [...] the celestiall Globe, or rather wee cannot make it a [...] without the knowledge of the longitude and latitud [...] the Starres.

You haue taught me how to finde out the de [...] ­nation longitude, and latitude of the Starres, so [...] forth as they are inscribed in the Globe. Now put [...] that I should finde in the heauen some Starre which [...] not in the Globe, may I notwithstanding by the Gl [...] finde out the longitude, latitude, and declination of [...] Starre?

Yea that you may. Can you tell how to finde [...] distance of Starres?

Yea that I can, I learned it at your Lecture when [...] read your booke concerning the vse of the crosse [...]fe, and there it is set downe.

Then when you espie any starre in heauen not [...]ressed in the celestiall globe, first make choise of two [...]res in a reasonable distance frō that which you espy, [...]e any two, it maketh no great matter which, only [...]y must not be in a right line with the starre seene, but [...]her choose them in a triangle. Secondly, take the di­stance of each starre from the starre newly seene: Third­ly▪ finde out those two starres vpon your Globe, which [...] made choise of in the heauen, then extending your [...]passes at seuerall times, vnto so make degrees of the [...]ator, as the seuerall distance of each starre doth re­ [...]re. Set the one foote of your Compasses in the one [...]re, whose distance was first taken, and according to [...] distance make a circumference either vpward or [...]wneward, according as the situation of the starre [...]wly found out doth admonish you. Also set the foote [...] your Compasse in the starre whose distance was [...]nd out at the second time, and according to that [...]nce make an other circle which shall crosse the for­ [...] in one place or an other, the intersection of those [...] circles is the true place of the starre, whose declina­ [...], longitude and latitude may be found by the rules [...]e sayd.

I perceaue your meaning, the practise of it will be de [...]htsome, proceede now I pray you to the sixt thing [...] [...]e noted in the circles of the Globe, considered [...]tlie one with an other, without anie certayne [Page]position of the Globe, which is the finding of the four cardinall points.

This is certaine, that where the meridian cu [...] ­teth the Horizon, there are the two cardinall poin [...] which are called the North and South: and where t [...] equator cutteth the Horizon, there are the other [...] which are called the East and West: so that if by [...] helpe of the needle touched with the Loade stone y [...] turne the fore part of the meridian to the Southwar [...] the foure cardinall points will appeare, howsoeuer [...] pole of the Globe be raised more or lesse aboue the H [...] ­rizon, so that it be not made your Zenith.

Why do you put in that caueat?

They that dwell vnder either pole, haue [...] equator iust in their Horizon, so that it maketh no i [...] ­tersection with the Horizon, and therefore in that [...] ­spect they cannot say that this place or that place is i [...] East or West, but which way soeuer they looke, i [...] South vnto them. The last generall thing to be noted [...] the circles, is the goodnes of the materiall Globe it se [...] And heere I must tell you this, that concerning a [...] Globes, which our countreyman hath made, the bo [...] vpon which the printed papers are pasted, is most pe [...] ­fectly round, as by the triall I haue found them, and [...] therefore to say it, that he may receaue commenda [...] ­ons for his paines, and artificiall handling of the sa [...] If there be a fault, it is either in the papers or in the H [...] ­rizon or meridian: which whether it be, the circles [...] bewraie it, in this manner. If the great circles which [...] drawne from the poles of the world, being applyed [...] the meridian, do not precisely answere it, and fall i [...] vnderneath it, without bowing one way or an oth [...] [Page] [...]ere is a fault in the pasting of the papers, or else the [...]ridian it selfe is crooked. The papers cannot be hol­ [...], the meridian may. If the equator, in the reuolution [...] [...]he Globe, do not keepe iust vnder the middle of the [...]idian where the degrees begin, there is a fault in the [...] be, for it is a signe, that it sincketh downe to much [...]ard the nethermost pole, or else is raysed to high [...]ard the vppermost pole. If the equator in the reuo­ [...]on of the Globe do not rise and fall iust vpon the [...] and West point of the Horizon, there is a fault as [...]ore, or else the papers are not pasted iust in a circle. [...] [...]he iust halfe of the meridian be not aboue and be­ [...]th the Horizon, there is a fault, either in the Hori­ [...] it selfe, which warpeth, or else in letting of the me­ [...]an into the Horizon, which may be remedied either [...]raysing it higher, or letting it sincke lower. If the Ho­ [...]on do not cut the equator into two equall peeces, [...]re is the same fault in the Globe also, except the Ho­ [...]on warpe. Thus haue I deliuered as briefelie as I [...]ld those things which are to be considered in the [...]at circles of the Globe iointlie one with an other, [...]hout regard had vnto anie certaine position of the [...]ere, it remaineth therefore now to speake of them [...]ey require a certaine position which we commonlie [...] the rectifying of the Globe.

What is it to rectifie the Globe?

To rectifie the Globe is so to situate it, that it [...]y be answerable to the heauen, so that the meridian [...] [...]he Globe, the poles and axeltree, with the Horizon, [...] answerable to the same circles in the heauen, whe­ [...]r it be a right Sphere as we tearme it, or a crooked.

What meane you by a right Sphere & a crooked?

You see this, that howsoeuer you place [...] Globe in the Horizon, the equinoctiall either make [...] an angle with the Horizon, or is parallell vnto it, a [...] falleth iust within it. If it make an angle with the Hor [...] ­zon, the angle is either right or oblique. According [...] this angle the Sphere is called either right or obliqu [...] A right Sphere is that wherein the equinoctiall and [...] Horizon cut one an other at right angles: therefo [...] the poles of the equinoctiall (which are the poles of t [...] world) are in the Horizon, and cōtrarywise, the poles [...] the Horizon are in the equinoctiall, so that the equin [...] ­ctiall passeth both directly ouer our head, and vnder [...] feete. The Horizon in regard of this concurse at rig [...] angles with the equator, is called also a right Horizo [...] And here you are to note this diligently for your ease [...] vsing of the Globe, that the meridian may supply [...] place of a right horizon, because it hath all the prope [...] ­ties thereof. For as the Horizon of a right Sphere cu [...] ­teth the equinoctiall at right angles, so doth the me [...] ­dian, as the poles of the world are in the right Horizo [...] so are they in the meridian: as the right horizon di [...] ­deth all the circles of the Globe, be they great, or li [...] into two equall parts, so doth the meridian: whereup [...] wee take this for a generall rule, that what conclusion [...] euer in the vse of the Globe is to be tried by the horizo [...] of the right Sphere, the same may with lesser trouble [...] tried by the meridian.

By that which you haue spoken of a right Spher [...] I may easily gather what an oblique (or as wee tearm [...] it) a crooked Sphere is, I thinke I may rightly define [...] oblique Sphere to be that, wherein the equator make [...] an oblique angle with the horizon: whereupon th [...] [Page] [...] needes followe as a consequent, that one of the [...]s is alwayes aboue the horizon, and the other be­ [...]h, either more or lesse.

You say true: and therefore this also doth insue, [...] an oblique Sphere may admit all the degrees of [...]parison, that is, it may be oblique, it may be more [...]que, it may be most oblique. It is oblique when the [...] is raised neuer so litle aboue the horizon: it is most [...]que when the pole is raised most aboue the horizon, [...] is, when the pole is in our Zenith, and the equi­ [...]tiall is coincident with the horizon. The horizon in [...]rd of this oblique angle made with the equator, is [...]ed also an oblique horizon. Moreouer, you must [...]e this, that whether the Sphere be right or croked, [...]arre as the equinoctiall is distant from the horizon, [...]rre is the pole of the equinoctiall distant from the [...] of the horizon which is our Zenith. And againe, [...]arre as the Zenith is from the equator, so farre is the [...]e from the horizon. If the equinoctiall be 90. de­ [...]es aboue the horizon, the Zenith is 90. degrees di­ [...]t from the poles of the equator. If the equator be [...] degrees aboue the horizon, the Zenith is 30. degrees [...]ue the pole. If the equator and the horizon doe [...]se one with an other, the pole and the Zenith are [...] [...]he one point.

What am I to learne by this for mine instruction?

Hereby you may learne how to set the quadrant [...]altitude in his due place: for if from the pole vp­ [...]ard you count so many degrees of the meridian, as [...] contayned betweene the equator, and the horizon: [...] otherwise, if from the equator vpward you count [...] many degrees of the meridian, as are contayned [Page]between the pole and the Horizon, there is the [...] place vnto which you must fasten the sayd quadran [...]

Let vs now returne from whence wee depar [...] Tell me I pray you, is it alwayes requisite that the Glo [...] should be in situation iust correspondent to the fac [...] the heauen?

No. In most conclusions it is only requis [...] that the pole of the Globe should be raysed accord [...] to the pole of the heauen, for otherwise wee cannot [...] ­taine to the truth of the question. But the setting of [...] Globe due North and South by the helpe of the nee [...] or the setting of it leuell by the plommet line, are [...] alwayes necessarie, when they are necessarie, I will [...] you hereafter. The height of the pole must either giuen, or be sought out.

I perceaue your meaning. Now to the purp [...] concerning the vse of the circles of the Globe, when [...] Globe requireth a certaine position, or as you calle [...] a rectifying, with which circle shall wee begin?

With the Horizon, for either in that, or fro [...] that most of the propositions do arise. First of all let [...] call in question the rising and setting of the Sunne [...] Starres: the rising and setting of the Starre is to [...] gathered by the Starre it selfe, the rising the setting [...] the Sunne is to be gathered by the degrees of the [...] ­clipticke.

When is a Starre, or the Sunne sayd to rise & se [...]

If the centre of the Sunne or Starre commi [...] from the inferior Hemisphere do mount aboue our Ho­rizon, he is sayd to arise. If descending from the super i [...] Hemisphere, his centre falleth beneath our Horizon, [...] is sayd to set. If mounting vpward, or descendi [...] [Page] [...]wneward, the center doth but touch the Horizon, [...] is sayd then neither to rise nor set, but is rising.

Goe to then, answere me to this, any eleuation [...] [...]he pole being giuen, how shall I finde by the Globe [...]at starres do arise and set, what starres neuer set, and [...]at starres neuer rise?

Rectifie your Globe, that is, rayse the pole of [...] Globe according to the eleuation assigned, so shall [...] presently answere your selfe by the reuolution of [...] Globe. If bothe the poles be in the Horizon, you [...]ll see euery starre and euery degree of the eclipticke [...] [...]rise and set. If one of the poles be in your Zenith, [...]u shall see all the starres and degrees of the eclipticke [...]m the equator vpward neuer to set, and contrarywise [...]se that are from the equator downeward neuer to [...]. If the pole be raysed 66. d 30. m. you shall see all the [...]res from the one tropicke vpward neuer to set, and [...]m the other tropicke downeward neuer to rise, and [...] Sunne being in the tropicke next to the pole that is [...]uated, doth but touch the Horizon with his centre, [...] being in all other places of the eclipticke, he doth [...] the rise, and set. To conclude, this is a generall rule to [...] gathered out of the declination. If the declination [...]er of the Sunne or Starre be lesser than the comple­ [...]nt of the heigth of the pole, the Sunne and Starre a­ [...]th and setteth. If the declination be greater, they ne­ [...] set, or else neuer arise. If the declination be equall, [...]ey touch the Horizon, but neuer set, or else neuer a­ [...]. The next thing to be considered in the Horizon is [...] ascension and descension of the Sunne or Starres, [...]h the difference thereof. Ascension is the portion of [...] equator contained (the orderly succession of the [Page]degrees being obserued) betweene the head of ♈, a [...] the horizon, at the time of the rising of the Sunne, [...] Starre. Descension is the portion of the equator contay­ned in like manner betweene the head of ♈, and th [...] horizon, at the time of the setting of the Sunne [...] Starre. Therefore whatsoeuer is in the horizon wi [...] the head of ♈, hath neither ascension or descensio [...] Ascension and descension is either right or crooked o­therwise called oblique. Right ascension is the portio [...] of the equator contained betweene the head of Ari [...] and the meridian, at the time of the comming of a [...] either sunne or starre vnto the meridian. Descensio [...] may be defined in the same manner by the departi [...] from the meridian.

How commeth it to passe that you define th [...] right ascension by the meridian and not by the ho [...] ­zon, as you did generally define it before?

I define it by the meridian, because I would ha [...] you remember that which I tolde you before, namel [...] that the meridian of the Globe may very fitly supply [...] place of the horizon in a right sphere. Therefore if y [...] would know the right ascension of the sunne or starre [...] bring the degree of the eclipticke which the sunne p [...] ­sesseth, or else bring the starre assigned to the meridia [...] and there obserue what portion of the equator is co [...] ­tained betweene the head of ♈ and the meridian, [...] that is the right ascension. Heere this is to be no [...] that the right ascension and descension are alwayes on [...] for the same degree of the equator which commeth [...] the meridian, the same degree goeth from the meridia [...] with the sunne or starre. Moreouer, there is no degre [...] of the eclipticke, nor no starre, but it hath a right ascen­ [...], [Page]and descension, excepting those which were gene­ [...] excepted before, namely, those which are iust vn­ [...] the meridian with the head of ♈.

By your words I gather, that the oblique ascen­ [...] is the portion of the equator contained betweene [...] head of ♈, and the horizon of an oblique sphere, at [...]rising of the sunne or starres. Descension also may [...] [...]efined in the same manner by the setting. So that if [...]sire to know the oblique ascension, I must bring the [...]ee of the eclipticke, or else the starre assigned to the [...]zon, and there obserue what portion of the equator [...]ntained betweene the head of ♈ and the horizon, [...] that on the East side of the horizon is the oblique [...]nsion, on the West side it is the descension.

You say right. And here note this, that the [...]que ascension and descension are neuer the same. [...] some starres and the sunne likewise haue neither [...]ension or descension, namely, when they neither rise [...] set.

What is the difference of ascension which you [...]red before?

In searching out the right and crooked as­ [...]sion, you shall finde this continually to be true, that of [...]ne and the same signe or starre the seuerall ascensi­ [...] neuer agree: the one is alwayes either greater, or [...]r than another: therefore hauing found out the [...]t and crooked ascension of any one starre, subduct [...] lesser from the greater, the degrees of the equator [...]ch remayne, is called the difference of ascen­ [...].

To what ende serueth this ascension, and diffe­ [...]ce of ascension whereof you speake?

It serueth to diuers purposes, whereof I sh [...] make mention hereafter, now let vs follow the mat [...] which we haue in hand. Wee vse in the Horizon to o [...] ­serue with what degree of the eclipticke any Sta [...] doth arise or set, which thing is done only by mou [...] the Globe vp and downe, vntill the Starre assigned co [...] ­meth to the East or West side of the Horizon, the d [...] ­gree of the eclipticke which is then in the Horizon, [...] the degree required.

By this meanes also I may knowe what degr [...] commeth to the meridian, for if I bring the Starre p [...] ­pounded to the meridian, the degree of the ecliptic which is vnder the meridian with the starre, is the [...] ­gree required. But what dothe the knowledge of [...] auaile me?

Hereby you may learne vpon what day of [...] uery moneth euery Starre is to be seene rising or s [...] ­ting, or in the meridian at midnight, in this manne [...] Bring the Starre propounded to the East side of the H [...] ­rizon, marke what degree of the eclipticke is in the H [...] ­rizon with it when the Sunne shall possesse the oppo [...] degree, that day shall the assigned starre arise at the [...] ­ting of the Sunne.

But how shall I knowe that daye?

I tolde you before, that whensoeuer there any degree of the eclipticke assigned, it must be sou [...] out in the Horizon, and right against it you shall fin [...] the day of the moneth wherein the sunne possesseth th [...] degree. Take an example: the litle dogge ariseth in o [...] Horizon with the 5. d. 30. m. of Leo, the degree oppos [...] to this in the west side of the Horizon, is the 5. d. 30. m Aquarius, the sunne possesseth that degree as I perce [...] [Page] [...]he Horizon the 16. of Januarie, therefore vpon that [...]at the setting of the Sunne the litle dogge ariseth [...]e Horizon. Contrarywise, bring any Starre to the [...] side of the Horizon, marke the degree of the e­ [...]icke which commeth to the Horizon with it: [...]n the Sunne possesseth the opposite degree, on that [...]at the rising of the Sunne the sayd Starre shall set in [...] West. And heere is the first meanes offred to finde [...] eleuation of the pole. This is certaine, that there is [...] eleuation wherein one and the same Starre ariseth or [...]eth with the same degree of the eclipticke with [...]ch it riseth, and setteth in an other eleuation, but a Starre in each seuerall eleuation of the pole, hath [...]uerall degree of the eclipticke, with which it riseth [...] setteth euery day. If the lesser dogge arise in one [...]e with the head of Leo, in an other place he ariseth [...] the 10. or 20. of Leo. Therefore if you can obserue [...] Starre rising in the Horizon when the Sunne doth [...] or setting in the Horizon when the Sunne doth a­ [...] note the day of the moneth in the Horizon, and the degree of the eclipticke answerable to that day: find out also the opposite degree, then if you noted the Starre to arise, bring the Starre to the East side of the Horizon, and raise or depresse the pole of the Globe, vntill the [...]re and the degree of the eclipticke fall bothe toge­ther in the Horizon, for then shall the pole of the [...]be be at his true eleuation.

If I noted the Starre to set, I must worke this conclusion on the West side of the Globe.

It is so. Moreouer, if you note with what de­gree any Starre commeth to the Meridian, seeke out the opposite degree, when the Sunne possesseth that degree, [Page]then at midnight you shall see the starre in the meri­dian: but wee cannot from hence infer the eleuation of the pole, because euery where be the pole higher or lower, the starres continuallie come to the meridian with the selfesame degree of the eclipticke. Heere is occasion offred to deliuer vnto you the cosmicall, achro­nicall, and helicall rising and setting of the signes and starres, which are not to be neglected of young stu­dents, especially such as are conuersant in reading of the Poets, because in many places they can hardlie be vn­derstoode, without the knowledge of these things, Cosmicall rising and setting of the starres generally taken, is their ascending and descending at any houre of the day whatsoeuer. Likewise, wee define general­lie the Achronicall rising and setting of the signes and starres to be their ascending and descending in the night. But properlie they are applied to that time onlie at which the Sunne doth arise or set. Therefore the de­gree which the Sunne possesseth being applied to the East side of the horizon, the signe or starres which are then on the East side of the horizon with the Sunne, are said to arise Cosmicallie, and they which at the same time are in the West side of the horizon, are said to set cosmicallie. Furthermore, the degree which the Sunne possesseth, being brought to the West side of the hori­zon, the signe or starres that are on that side with the said degree, doe set Achronicallie (that is by interpre­tation in the edge of the night) and they on the other side arise achronicallie. Whereby this appeareth, that what signe or starres soeuer arise cosmicallie, the same doe set achronicallie, and contrarywise. Likewise what starre or signe soeuer riseth achronicallie, the same doe [Page]set cosmicallie, and contrarywise. The helicall rising of the starres is their appearāce after they haue bin hidden by the beames of the sunne. The helicall setting of the starres is the hiding by the beames of the Sunne. For this you must note, that the Sunne mouing from the West to the East, doth by litle and litle gather vpon the starres which are Eastward from him, and comming neare vnto them within some 15. degrees, litle more or lesse, according to the quantitie of the starres, by his brightnes he obscureth their light, and then are they said to set helicallie. Afterwards the Sunne keeping on his course, leaueth the starres to be seene toward the West, then are they said to rise helicallie. By the Globe you shall gather the helicall rising and setting thus, turne the degree which the Sunne possesseth to the East side of the horizon, the starres which are alitle aboue it, are those which are risen helicallie, for the Sunne hath left them to be seen before his rising. Againe, turne the degree which the Sun possesseth to the West side of the hori­zon, the starres which are alitle aboue it, are those which are ready to set helicallie, for the Sunne will come vpon them from the West. The next thing to be noted, is the amplitude of the Sunne or starres.

Tell me what it is, how it is diuided, what vse it hath?

The amplitude is to be consider at the in­stant time of the rising and setting of the Sun or starres, and not else. The amplitude is the distance of the Sunne or starres from the true East or West measured by the arcke of the horizon. Therefore you must bring the place of the Sun (that is the degree of the ecliptick which the Sun possesseth) or the starre assigned to the East or West side of the horizō, according as the time requireth, [Page]then marke how many degrees of the Horizon are con­tained betweene the Sunne, or the Starre, and the true East or West point of the Horizon, for those degree [...] expresse the amplitude. Amplitude is either North or South. North amplitude is the arcke of the Horizon counted from the true East or West Northward. South amplitude is to the Southward. The seafaring men kepe account as I told you before by the points of the Com­passe, but it is better to obserue the amplitude by de­grees. The Sunne or Starres vnder the equator haue no amplitude, because that circle alwayes riseth and setteth full East and West: for the other points of heauen this is generall, that those which haue equall declination, haue equall amplitude, be it to the North, or to the Southward. In a right Sphere the declination and am­plitude of the Sunne and Starres is of one quantitie, so that knowing the one, I knowe the other: therefore if at any time in trauailing, wee finde the declination and amplitude of the Sunne or Starres to agree together, it is a certaine signe that wee are then vnder the equator, and our Zenith is iust in that circle.

Then may I inferre this also, that for so much as the meridian of a right Sphere, & the Horizon may be counted as one, if the distance of the Sunne or Starres from one Zenith be equall vnto their declination, wee are iust vnder the equinoctiall.

You say true: in any oblique Sphere the decli­nation and amplitude of the Sunne or Starres doth al­wayes differ, for the amplitude doth exceede the decli­nation, yet is it neuer more than 90. degrees. Where the pole is eleuated (as you may perceiue by the Globe) 66. d. 30. min. the amplitude of the Sunne in the tropicall [Page]points, is 90. degrees. Where the pole is in our Zenith, there is no account made of the amplitude, because there is neither rising nor setting of the starres. The vse of the amplitude is in the finding of the eleuation of the pole. Each seuerall starre in each seuerall eleuation, hath a peculiar amplitude, so also haue the seuerall degrees of the eclipticke, whose declination doth differ. Therefore the amplitude of the Sunne or starre being knowen, if you bring them to the horizon, and rayse the pole of the Globe, or depresse it, vntill the starre or Sunne come to his iust amplitude, the pole shall haue his true ele­ction.

Me thinketh contrariwise I may inferre this: the amplitude being knowen, and the pole hauing his due eleuation, to finde the degree which the Sunne posses­seth: for that degree which toucheth that amplitude, [...]s the degree of the eclipticke fought for.

You say well: but considering that two seue­ [...]all degrees in the North part, and two in the South haue equall declination, and therefore equall amplitude, you must in answering this question haue an eye to the [...]ime of the yeare, that you may make choise of the signe which is correspondent to the season, according as it hath bin noted heretofore. Moreouer, the amplitude ei­ther of the Sunne or Starres being knowen, and the pole of the Globe being raysed as it ought to be, you may finde the variation of the compasse in this manner. Pitch your compasse in some conuenient place, take the amplitude of the Sunne, or any other starre arising or setting, then bring the degree of the eclipticke which [...]he Sunne possesseth or the starre obserued, vnto the horizon of your Globe, if the amplitude found out be [Page]correspondent to that which the Globe affordeth, then hath your compasse no variation, otherwise the variatiō is so much, as the difference betweene the obseruation made with your compas & the Globe amounteth vnto.

But how would you haue the compasse framed, for the performance of the conclusion?

You may take any how so euer they be made, but for the yong beginner that compare is fittest which hath the Needle set iust vnder the North and South point.

I pray you tell mee this: the pole being raised as it ought to bee, how shall I finde at what time the Sunne or any other starre ariseth.

The rediest way to performe this is by the rec­tifying of the index belonging to the hower circle.

How is the index to be rectifyed?

The degree which the Sunne possesseth be­ing brought to the Meridian of your Globe, and you [...] houre circle beeing fastened to the Meridian orderly, [...] you place the index vpon 12. a clocke, then is the inde [...] sayd to be rectifyed. This thing you shall note diligent­ly, that there bee no more repetition made thereof when soeuer the mention shall be made rectifying the index of your Globe. The index being rectifyed if you bring the degree of the Eclipticke which the Su [...] possesseth to the Horizon the index will expresse the time of his rising or setting, according as it is applyed e­ther to the East or West side of the Horizon. Like­wise the index being rectifyed if you bring any Starr [...] assigned to the East or west side of the Horizon, yo [...] shall find the time when it ryseth or setteth.

But put case I wanted mine hours circle, and th [...] [Page] [...]ndex, may I not find the time of the Sunnes rising and [...]etting otherwise?

Yes, you may finde it by the difference of ascen­ [...]on as I will teach you hereafter. Thus much concer­ [...]ing those thinges which are to be obserued when the Sun or Starres are in the Horizon. Now let vs come to those thinges which are to be noted when the Sunne or [...]tarres are ether aboue or beneath the Horizon. Amōg the which, the first to be considered is the altitude of the Sunne or Starres.

I pray you let mee haue your instruction in this [...]atter, for I take it to be a thing expedient to be known, because I heare many men bragge of their cunning in taking the altitude of Sunne and Starre.

The Horizon is the beginning of all altitude height or eleuation: therefore what soeuer is in the ho­ [...]zon hath no altitude, height, or eleuation. The extremi­ [...]e of all altitude is the Zenith, for nothing can be high­ [...]r aboue the Horizon than that point, which being 90. [...]egrees aboue the Horizon is equally distant from it [...]n euery side. Moreouer this you must vnderstand, [...]hat from the Zenith to each seuerall point of the Ho­ [...]zon a great circle may bee drawen, which because they [...]ome from the verticall point, are therefore called ver­ [...]call circles, in some one of these circles is the alti­tude to bee counted, whereuppon wee define the al­titude to bee the distance of the Sunne or Starre from [...]he Horizon, expressed by the degrees of the verticall [...]rcle, which is drawen from the Zenith through the cē ­ [...]r of the Starre propounded. The instrument seruing [...]or this purpose is the quadrant of altitude which must [...]ee fastened as you were taught before vnto the Zenith.

How shall I finde the altitude thereby?

Lay the quadrant of altitude vpon the place o [...] the Sunne, or any other degree of the eclipticke; o [...] vpon any starre, and obserue the degrees contained be­tweene it and the horizon, for they generally express [...] the altitude required, the Sunne or starre being suppo­sed to be in such or such a place of the heauen. The al­titude of the Sunne or starre is either meridian, or inter­meridian. The meridian altitude is the distance be­tweene the starre and the horizon, when the starre i [...] iust in the meridian, the quantitie whereof is expressed by the degrees of the meridian circle. Therefore if you bring either the Sunne or starre assigned to the meri­dian, you shall finde the meridian altitude thereof, the pole of the Globe being raysed to his due heigth.

Why doe you put in that caueat?

Because as the pole riseth higher or lower, [...] doth the meridian eleuation of Sunne or starres alte [...] In a right Sphere the meridian eleuation of the Sunne or starres is alwayes equall to the complement of decli­nation: as if the Sunne decline 23. d. 30. min. his eleua­tion is 66. d. 30. &c. In the most oblique Sphere the me­ridian altitude is alwayes equall to the declination therefore where the pole is 90. degrees aboue the Hori­zon, you shall neuer see the Sunne mount higher that 23. d. 30. min. which is his greatest declination. In other situations of the Sphere the meridian altitude is four in this manner if the Sunne or starre decline to the po [...] eleuated, the declination of the starre being added t [...] the eleuation of the equator, geueth the meridian alti­tude: as for example, if the Sunne decline 23. d. 30. min [...] toward the North pole, the eleuation of the equator [Page]being supposed to be 38. d. 30. m. his meridian altitude will be 62. degrees. Contrariwise, if the Sunne or starre decline from the pole eleuated, the declination being taken from the eleuation of the equator, leaueth the me­ridian altitude: as if the Sunne decline from the North pole 23. d. 30. m. the eleuation of the equator being sup­posed to be 38. d. 30. m. his meridian altitude will be but 15. degrees.

Is there any excellent thing to be gathered by the meridian altitude of the Sunne or starre.

Yea, for it bringeth vs to the eleuation of the pole, for considering that each seuerall eleuation of the pole hath a seuerall and peculiar eleuation of the Sunne or starres, therefore by it wee may knowe the eleuation of the pole. If the eleuation of the Sunne or starres be equall to the complement of their declination, then are wee iust vnder the equator, and bothe the poles are in the horizon. If the eleuation be equall to their declina­tion, then are wee iust vnder the pole. The other eleua­tions of the pole are found by addition or subduction, [...]n this manner. If the Sunne or starre decline toward the pole eleuated, the declination being subducted from the meridian altitude, leaueth the heigth of the equator, which is alwayes the complement of the eleuation of the pole, therefore if you take the heigth of the equator from 90. you haue the eleuation of the pole. If the Sunne or starre decline from the pole eleuated, their declination added to the meridian altitude, geueth the heigth of the equator, and consequently the heigth of the pole.

But what if the Sunne or starre haue no decli­nation?

Then is this a generall rule, that the Sunne o [...] starre is then in the equator, and therefore the Meridian altitude expresseth the height of the equator, which be­ing subducted from 90 geueth the pole. Thus much concerning the meridian altitude of the Sunne or Starr [...] The intermeridian altitude is the distance of the Sunne or Starre from the Horizon, when they are in some o­ther place of heauen, and not in the meridian: This al­titude is either antemeridian or postmeridian. The an­temeridian altitude is the distance of the Sunne or Starre from the Horizon at any time before noone: the post meridian altitude is the distance of the Sunne or Starr [...] from the Horizon after noone. And for so much as th [...] Sunne or Starre by their proper motion make but sma [...] difference in their place, so that it cannot sensibly be perceaued in the after noone a that they haue moue frō that place wherin they were in the forenoone ther­fore we say that the antemeridian & postmeridian alti­tude of the Sunne or Starres is all one, this being suppo­sed that they bee equally distant from the meridian. [...] searching out the antemeridian or postmeridian altitude of the Sunne or Starres the rule is all one with that ge­nerall rule which I gaue you before, so that the Sunne o [...] Starre be supposed to be in any place aboue the Hori­zon bet weene it and the Meridan.

But put case that I did not suppose the Sunne or Starre to bee in any place? may not I finde out b [...] the Globe their certaine and true altitude which the haue in heauen.

This you must vnderstand that some thinges ar [...] found out immediatly, some things mediatly by certain meanes. If the Sunne shine hee will bewray his own [Page]height by the helpe of the sphericall gnomon, but the height of the starres cannot so bee found out, for they require the knowledge of the houre or some other such like thing, as you shall perceaue hereafter.

Tell me then, how shall I finde the height of the Sunne by the sphericall gnomon.

Rectify your Globe perfectly in the open aire where the Sunne shineth, so that it may stand precisely North and South, and that the Horizon be leuel, and the pole raised as it is conuenient: set your spherical gnomō vpon the place of the sunne, on the East or West side of the globe, acording as the time requireth, and turne the globe to and fro vntill the gnomō geue no shadow: thē if you fasten the globe, that it moue not, & bring the quadrant of altitude ouer the place of the sunne, the de­grees therof intercepted between the place of the sunne, & the Horizon wil expres the true height of the sunne. Thus much concerning the altitude of the sun or starres.

Now teach me how I may know how long they continue aboue the Horizon.

Here you must note this, that for so much as the sunne is the efficient cause of the day, therefore to know how long he continueth aboue the horizon is to know the length of the day, which is found in seuerall manners. First thus. Bring the degree which the sunne possesseth to the East side of the horizon, then rectify the index, setting if vpon 12. a clock in the houre circle. Turn the globe about vntill the said degree come to the West side of the Horizon: the hours (which the index run­neth ouer) expresse the continuance of the sunne aboue the Horizon: in like maner may you finde how long a­ny starre continueth aboue the Horizon.

The second way to finde out the continuance of the Sunne or starre aboue the Horizon, is by the difference of ascension taken twise.

Why doe you take the difference of ascension?

This you shall perceaue by the Globe, that in a right Sphere there is no point of heauen which doth not rise and set within the space of 12. houres, so that the day is neuer longer than 12. houres, neither doth any starre continue aboue the Horizon longer than that time. But in an oblique Sphere (if the Sunne or starres be not in the equinoctiall) the day is either longer or shorter than 12. houres. If the Sunne or starres decline toward the pole eleuated, their continuance is longer, if from that pole their continuance is shorter aboue the horizon than 12. houres, by the difference of ascension twise taken as I finde before.

But why take you this difference twise?

The one declareth how much the Sunne or any Starre ariseth sooner or later in an oblique, than it doth in a right Sphere, the other telleth how much sooner or later it setteth, and thereupon wee frame our rule thus, if the difference of ascension of the Sunne or starre de­clining toward the pole eleuated be twise taken and ad­ded to 180. degrees, the totall summe conuerted into houres and partes of houres as occasion offereth, shall declare the continuance of them aboue the ground. Againe, if the difference of ascension of the Sunne or starre declining from the pole eleuated be twise taken and subducted from 180. degrees, the remainder con­uerted into houres &c. declareth their continuance a­boue the ground.

The length of the day being found, what may [Page]be inferred thereupon.

Many things both pleasant, and profitable in Astronomie, as the eleuation of the pole. If the day be continuallie but 12. houres long, then are wee precisely vnder the equator. If the day be 6. moneths long, then are wee directlie vnder the pole. The other eleuations are found out thus. Diuide the length of the day into two equall partes, and conuert the houres into degrees, as if the day be 16. houres long, the halfe thereof is 8. houres, which containe 120. d. From the head of Aries count these degrees in the equator to the West side of the Horizon, and set fast the last degree vnder the me­ridian, so that it stirre not from it: then in the equino­ctiall colure count the declination of the Sunne for the day propounded either vpward or downeward from the equator, according as the place of the signe requi­reth. Last of all, rayse or let fall the pole of the Globe vntill the degree of declinatiō doth touch the Horizon, so shall the pole haue his iust eleuation, the like may be done by any fixed starre. The second thing to be noted in knowing the length of the day, is the time of the Sunnes rising or setting, for if the length of the artificiall day be diuided into two partes, the one declareth the houre of his setting, the other being subducted from 12. [...]ffordeth the time of his rising: as if the day be 16. houres long, he setteth at 8. and riseth at 4. a clocke. The like may be done concerning the rising and setting of the starres. The third thing is the length of the night: for the length of the day being subducted from 24. houres, yeeldeth the length of the night.

But may not these three last things be per­formed by the Globe it selfe?

Yes very conueniently I taught you before how the time of the sunne his rising & setting may be found out. The length of the night is knowen in this maner▪ Seeke out that degree of the eclipticke which is oppo­site to the place of the sunne: Bring it to the East side o [...] the horizon, set the index of the houre circle vpon 12. a clocke, turne the Globe about vntill the said degree touch the horizon in the West, the houres which the in­dex hath passed ouer, expresse the length of the night. The fourth thing ro be gathered out of the length of the day being knowen, is the length of the planetarie houre. The planetarie houre is the twelft part of the artificiall day or night: therefore sometimes it is longer than the common houre, sometimes shorter, sometimes equal [...] vnto it, in a right sphere, the cōmon houre and the pla­net houre, both of the day & night are equall, in an ob­lique sphere if the sunne dicline frō the pole eleuated, the common houre of the day is lesser than the planetary houre, but the cōmon houre of the night is greater: con­trariwise if the sunne decline toward the pole eleuated, the common houre of the day is greater than the plane­tary houre, but the common houre of the night is lesser. The next conclusion is to finde the houre of the day by the sunne shining.

Why do you say by the sunne shining, may not the houre be found, if the shine not, or may it not bee found by the starres.

If the sunne shine, he leadeth vs vnto the know­ledge of the houre by his light, but if he shine not, there must bee one thing or another granted, and geuen, o [...] else wee cannot come to the knowledge of any particu­lar thing be it houre, or height, or coasting: the like is to [Page]be said of the starres whose beame being so weake, that it cannot make a shadow, inforceth vs to craue some one thing granted vnto vs, before wee can inferre any con­clusion.

I perceaue your meaning, first therefore tell me what I may doe by the shining of the sunne: and then I will craue the other conclusions.

The hour of the day by the sun shining is foūd thus, Rectify your globe perfectly, seeke out the place of the sunne, and rectify the index, bring the place of the sunne ether to the East or West side of the meridian ac­cording as the time of the day shall aduise you, set the sphericall gnomon vpon it, and turne the globe to and froe vntill the gnomon cast to shadow, then will the in­dex in the houre circle giue the houre of the daye. Now marke how many thinges followe vpon this worke: First, so soone as you haue found the houre, if you fa­sten the Globe that it stirre not, and bring the quadrant of altitude ouer the place of the sunne, you shall finde his altitude aboue the Horizon. Item the globe being fastened, and the quadrant of altitude being brought o­uer the place of the Sunne, you shall finde vpon what point of the compasse he is, with his distance ether from East, West, North, or South. Item, the houre being found: you haue all the Starres aboue the Horizon at that houre. Item you may by the Globe perceaue what Starres are in your Zenith at that time. Item, if you note what point of the Eclipticke is vnder the Meridian, both aboue and beneath the Horizon, and also what point of the Eclipticke is in the East and West, you may thereby very well knowe the foure Cardinall pointes of Heauen, as wee terme them, and [Page]consequently the beginnings and endings of the 12. housen of heauen which is commonlie tearmed the e­recting of a figure.

All that you haue mentioned before is easie, but I do not perceaue this last conclusion.

I will helpe your vnderstanding so well as I can. First therefore a figure, as wee take it commonlie in this sence, is the diuision of the heauen into 12. parts by certaine great circles drawen from the intersections of the meridian and the horizon, through equall partitions of the equator, diuiding the eclipticke into 12. vnequall partes. Each part of heauen thus diuided is called an house. The beginning of them is in the East, and from thence the rest are accounted vnder the horizon to the nether part of the meridian, and from thence vpward to the West, and so by the South side of the meridian to the East againe, for so the reuolution of the heauen requireth. The instrument whereby the housen are found out, is that halfe circle which we commonly call the circle of position wherof I spake before. The man­ner of finding thē out is this. The houre being knowen by the shining of the Sunne, the 4. cardinall points doe straightway offer themselues, whereof that which is in the East is called the first house, that which is vnder the horizon in the meridian is the fourth house, that which is in the West is the seuenth house, and that in the South part of the meridian is the tenth house. These being no­ted seuerally according as you see in the figure follo­wing, from the point of the equator, which is vnder the meridian, you shall count 30. degrees toward the East, ouer the thirtith degree bring the circle of position, and note what point of the eclipticke it crosseth, for that is [Page]the beginning of the eleuenth house, and the degree op­posite vnto that degree of the eclipticke is the begin­ning of the fift house. Againe, from the point of the e­quator, which is vnder the meridian, you shall count 60. degrees toward the East, and ouer the said 60. degree bring the circle of position, and note what point of the eclipticke it lighteth vpon, for that is the beginning of the twelfth house, and the opposite degree of the e­clipticke vnder the Horizon is the beginning of the sixt house. The beginning of the ninth and eight house are found out in the same manner on the West side of the Globe, as the eleueth and twelfth house were found out on the East side. The beginning of the second house is the degree opposite to the eight house, and the de­gree opposite to the ninth house is the beginning of the third house.

Is there any thing else to be found out by the shadow of the sphericall gnomon.

The Sunne being in the meridian, the heigth of the pole may be found out thus. Rectifie the Globe precisely in the open aire, not regarding the eleuation of the pole of the Globe at his due heigth. If the gnomon cast a shaddow, the pole of the Globe is either higher or lower than it should be, and therefore must it be raysed, or let fall.

But how shall I knowe when I am to rayse it, and when to let it fall?

If the shaddow runne toward the pole eleua­ted, you must rayse the pole of the Globe, if it runne frō the pole toward the equator, you must let the pole fall.

Is there any thing to be gathered out of the former propositions, touching the variation of the com­passe.

Yea, for if you remember it, I told you, that when the spherical gnomon casteth no shadow, then do wee finde not onely the houre of the day, but also the coasting of the Sunne, that is, the point of the com­passe vpon which hee shineth: Compare therefore your Compsse with the Globe, and you shall easily finde, whether it doth varie yea or no, and how much the variation is, so that the Globe bee rectified precise­ly as it ought to be: for if the Sunne shine vppon the same point of your Compasse, vpon which the Globe signified him to bee, then hath it not variation at all, but if they differ, their difference will expresse their variation. Thus much concerning those conclusi­ons, which may bee performed on the Globe by the shining of the Sunne, and the Sphericall Gno­mon. Let vs now come to those propositions, which require a certaine supposition, or the granting of some one thing or another, and may bee performed without the sunne shining: and thus, for example. The houre be­ing giuen to finde the height that the Sunne shall haue, at that same houre. Rectifye your index, turne the Globe either to East, or West side of the Horizon, ac­cording as the houre assigned doth require, vntill the index fall vpon the sayd houre, then fasten the Globe, and bring the quadrant of altitude ouer the place of the sunne, the degrees of it intercepted betweene the place of the Sunne, and the Horizon, expresse his height at that houre.

Here me thinketh I may reuerse the former pro­position, [Page]and by the height of the sunne giuen, I may finde out the houre.

You say well, for if you rectify your index, and moue the globe to and froe as the time requireth, vntil the place of the Sunne fall vpon that degree in the qua­drant of altitude, which you supposed the sunne to haue, then will the Index expresse the houre.

May I not also by the height of the starres finde the houre of the night?

Yes, if so be you know the starres of heauen, & can compare them with your Globe.

Put case I did know them (for afterwards I will bee bold to craue the knowledge of them) how shall I finde the houre of the night.

Take the height of some knowen starre, rectify your index, turne the globe about vntill the same starre founde out in your globe, haue the same eleuation in the Quadrant of Altitude, which you founde him to haue in the Heauen, so shall the Index expresse the houre.

Here also I may inferre this proposition. The [...]oure of the night being giuen to finde not only what [...]eight the starres shall haue aboue the horizon, but also what starres are then aboue it.

You may, in this manner: rectifie your index, [...]urne your Globe about, vntill the Index fall vpon the [...]oure assigned, so shall you haue the starres in your Globe answerable to them which are seene in heauen: then applying your quadrant of altitude vnto them, you shall finde the height of each seuerall Starre.

Nowe marke you well how many thinges followe [...]ereupon. By this meanes you may come vnto the [Page]knowledge of the starres, especially if you set the Glob [...] North, and South, for then the Globe will be so answe­rable to the heauen, that you cannot but knowe th [...] starres of the heauen by the starres of the Globe, fo [...] that starre in the Globe which in place and height [...] answerable to the like starre in heauen, affordeth th [...] name and title thereof. Item, the houre being found b [...] the starres height, or the height being found by th [...] houre, as I taught you euen now, if you fasten the globe and bring the quadrant of altitude ouer the center of th [...] starre, you shall finde vpon what point of the compa [...] any starre is, and how many degrees it is distant fro [...] either of the foure cardinall points of the Horizon. [...] ­tem, you shall finde the culminant starres, that is, tho [...] starres which passe ouer your Zenith. Item, you ma [...] thus finde the foure cardinall points of heauen, with th [...] beginning of the twelue housen, and how farre th [...] Sunne is distant from the Horizon, according as I deli­uered it before, in speaking of finding the houre of th [...] day by the Sunne.

But may the height of the pole be found by th [...] starres, as it was found by the Sunne?

It cannot be found by the shaddowe of th [...] sphericall gnomon, because the beame of the starres i [...] so weake, that it cannot cause a shaddowe, but the meri­dian altitude of any starre being geuen, the height of th [...] pole is presently found by the Globe in this manne [...] Bring the starre whose meridian altitude is knowne vnt [...] the meridian of the Globe, either to the North, or Sou [...] side thereof, as the starre it selfe doth admonish you then rayse, or let fall the pole of your Globe, vnt [...] there be so many degrees of the meridian contayne [...] [Page]betweene the centre of the starre, and the horizon, as [...]he height found out amounted vnto, so shall the pole of the Globe haue his dew eleuation.

Let vs now returne to our former purpose: you [...]id euen now that by supposition of some one thing or [...]nother, many conclusions may bee performed by the Globe without the sight, or shining of the sunne, or [...]arres as you shewed it by example in supposing the [...]eight of the sunne, or starres to be knowen, or the hour [...]f the day, or nighte, and from thence you deriued ma­ [...]y other conclusions. Haue you anie other proposition [...]ending to the same effect?

Yea there are many, for out of any one thing al­ [...]ost all the other may arise: because there is in them a [...]ertaine reciprocation, & a necessarie consequence from [...]he one vnto the other: as thus. If the hour be knowen, & the height of the sunne, we may finde his place: the [...]dex being rectifyed.

That may bee easily done by the height of the [...]nne at twelue a clocke hauing consideration of the [...]ason of the yeare, because in each quarter of the eclip­ [...]cke each seuerall degree hath a certaine altitude in the [...]eridian. But how it should be done at any other houre [...]ther before, or after noone, I do not see.

You must suppose that when your index was [...]ectifyed, you did then knowe the place of the Sunne: [...]ut when you went about to take his height you forgot [...]: if therefore you desire to know it againe, turne the [...]obe to and froe, vntil you bring the index to the houre [...]ssigned, fixe the Globe and apply the quadrant of alti­ [...]de to the ecliptick, that degree of the eclipticke, which [...]nder the quadrant of altitude answereth to the height [Page]of the Sunne knowen, is the place of the Sunne, Which beeing founde, wee may proceede by a neces­sary consequence to all the former conclusions what­soeuer. As to the point of the compasse vpon which he shineth, to his distance from the East, West, North, o [...] South, &c.

Then if I perfectly knowe the distaunce of the Sunne from the Easte, or Weste, together with hi [...] height, I may finde his place in any eleuation of the pole.

You may, hauing consideration of the time of the yeare, which is alwayes requisite in these pro­positions, which leade vs to the place of the Sunne For if you sette the Quadrant of altitude to the point of the Compasse, vppon which the Sunne is sayde to shine, or vppon that distaunce from the true Easte, or West, which the Sunne is sayde to haue, and turne that quarter of the ecliptick which the time of the yeare requireth, vnto the quadrant of Altitude, that degree which vnder the Quadrant answeareth to the sup­posed height of the Sunne, is the degree which the Sunne possesseth. Contrariwise wee may by the place of the Sunne, and the point of the compasse, vppon which hee shineth, finde the height of the Sunne.

Mee thinketh that that is easie: for if I set the Quadrant of Altitude agaynst the point of the Com­passe assigned, and bring the place of the Sunne vn­to it, the degrees of the Quadrant contayned be­tweene the place of the Sunne, and the Horrizon ex­presse his height.

You say true: this proposition also is perfor­med [Page]with the same facilitie. The point of the Com­ [...]asse beeing giuen, and the place of the Sunne to find [...]e houre of the Daye, in this manner. Rectify your [...]ndex, set the Quadrant of Altitude vppon the point [...]f the Compasse assigned, then bring the place of the [...]unne to the edge of the Quadrant, so shall the [...]ndex expresse the houre.

This also is another consequent: the point of the com­ [...]asse beeing giuen, and the height of the Sunne to [...]nder the time of the rising or setting: you knowe that [...]e point of the compasse, and the height of the Sunne [...]ust necessarily leade vs to his place, hauing found his [...]lace, rectify the Index, then bring the place of the Sunne [...] the East side of the Horizon, so will the Index point [...]ut the time of his rising: againe turne the place of the [...]unne to the West side of the Horizon, and the index [...]ill expresse the time of his setting.

I find it now true which you sayd before, name­ [...] that the supposition of some certaine things bringeth [...] the consequence of all the other. For mee thinketh [...]at I my selfe knowing the point of the Compasse, and [...]e height of the Sunne, coulde easilie inferre by your [...]xample the declination, the right and crooked ascen­ [...]on of the Sunne, the length of the day, or night, the [...]eridian Altitude, and whatsoeuer hath beene spo­ [...]en of before. For the height of the Sunne, and the point [...]f the compasse, vpon which he shineth leadeth me to [...]e place of the Sun, the place of the Sun being brought [...] the meridian geueth his declination, & also his right [...]cension, and his meridian altitude likewise the same [...]ace being brought to the Horizon affordeth his croo­ [...]ed ascention, then keeping the place of the Sunne [Page]at the horizon, if I set the index vpon 12.2 clocke, and turne the Globe about to the West, I cannot but finde the length of the day: &c. Let vs now proccede.

Hetherto you haue heard those cōclusions which may be inferred by the Globe, the Sunne or Starres be­ing supposed to bee either in the horizon or about it: there are some which belong to the Sunne or Starres, being vnder the horizon. Among the which 3. or 4. only are vsually sought after: the other ether because they are not greatly profitable, or because they are easily per­formed by that which hath bin deliuered heretofore, are neglected. The first of them is to finde the depressi­on of the Sunne at anie houre assigned: but especially at midnight.

What meaneth the depression of the Sunne?

The depression is opposite vnto the altitude: and it is the distance of the Sunne from the horizon downward, it is found thus: Seeke out the degree of the eclipticke opposite vnto that degree, which the Sun possesseth, bring it to the South side of the meridian a­boue the horizon, the degree of the meridian betweene it and the horizon expresse the depression of the Sunne at midnight. Whereby is gathered how he is vnto them which are our antipodes.

But put case I would know the depression of the Sunne at any other houre, how shall I find it?

Bring the opposite degree vnto the meridian, rectify the index, turne the Globe about vntill the in­dex fall vpon the same houre, fasten the Globe, & then bring the quadrant of altitude ouer the sayd degree, the portion of the quadrant betweene it, and the horizon expresse the depressiō of the sunne at the hour assigned. [Page]The second concerneth the dawning of the day. That is [...]ound in this manner. Bring the degree of the Sunne [...]o the meridian, rectify your index, then seeke out the degree of the ecliptick opposite to the degree which the Sunne possesseth, moue it toward the West side of she Horizon, and by the helpe of the quadrant of altitude [...]et it 18. degrees aboue he Horizon, the houre vpon which the index falleth, expresseth the dawning of the [...]ay.

I pray you tell tree this, what is the reason why [...]ou bring the opposite degree to the West side of the Horizon?

As before in seeking the depression of the Sun, [...]he opposite degree being brought to the South side of [...]he meridian declared how low the degree of the Sunne [...]as vnder the Horizon in the North side, euen so here [...]he placing of the opposite degree 18. degrees aboue the Horizon in the West, causeth the true place of the Sun [...]o be 18. degrees vnder the Horizon in the East, at which [...]istance the dawning doth beginne.

What if the opposite degree cannot haue 18. de­grees of eleuation, but falleth vnderneath it.

Then must you conclude, that the twilighte [...]ontinueth from the setting of the Sunne vntill his ri­ [...]ing.

Is the dawning of the day in all places at the same [...]oure the Sunne possessing one and the same degree?

No, for the more oblique the sphere is the daw­ [...]ing beginnineth so much the sooner, because the Sunne [...]reepeth his course continually nearer to the Horizon, & [...]herfore lighteneth our hemisphere so much the sooner. The third conclusion concerneth the length of the daw­ning, [Page]which is the time from the first breaking of the day vnto the rysing of the Sunne: the conclusion is wrough [...] thus, Seeke out by the former proposition the time [...] the dawning, then seeke also the time of the Sunne▪ rising, the difference of these two times expresse the length of the dawning, which is more or lesse accor­ding to the obliquitie of the Sphere. The fourth conclu­sion concerneth the length of time wherein any signe a ariseth aboue the Horizon.

What, is one signe longer arising than another I thought that as they were all equall, so the time [...] their rising or setting was also equall: and this is cer­taine, that any sixe Signes arise and sette in 12. houre.

That is true, if you take them ioyntly together otherwise being taken seuerally, the one is longer a [...] ­sing than the other: wherevpon there ariseth another di­stinction of ascensiō, which in respect of the time limited vnto each signe is said to be right or oblique without re­spect had to the situation of the sphere as it was before Those signes haue a right ascention, with whom the [...] arise more than 30▪ degrees of the equator: that is to say that are lōger arising than 2. houres, contrariwise if there arise with the signe fewer thā 30. degrees of the equator, that is to say, if the signe arise in lesser time than 2. hours, then is that called an oblique ascention. Ether of these as­censions may be found out 2. seueral wayes: by the de­gree of the Equator, for that is the measure of all time, o [...] els mechanichally by the houre circle. By the degrees of the equator, the length of time, that is the ascentiō of any whole signe is found thus in any situation of the sphere Bring the hed of any signe to the East signe of the hori­zon, marke what degree of the equator is in the horizon [Page]with it, thē moue the globe, vntil the end of the said signe [...]ōmeth to the horizō, mark the degree of the equator in the horizon, subduct the lesser from the greater, the re­mainder conuerted into houres, and minutes if neede re­quire expresseth the assention of the signe propounded. By the houre circle the length of time wherin any signe ariseth is thus sought out. Bring the hed of any signe to the East side of the horizō, set the index vpon 12. a clock, moue the globe west ward, vntil the end of the said signe come to the horizon, the index in the houre circle will expresse the length of time wherein the signe did arise. These are the chiefest questions moued concerning those thinges which happen vnder the horizon.

I pray you hath the circle of position no other vse then to rectifie a figure.

Yes, for it findeth that circle whereof it receaueth his name, that is the circle of positiō, which is but a great circle drawen frō the one intersectiō of the horizon and meridiā, vnto the other, through the centre of some star, or any point els assigned in the heauē, diuiding the sphere into 2. peeces. By it in erecting of the 12. housen, we find what notable starres, or what planets are in any of the housen. The distance of any circle of position from the meridian is found thus. The circle of position being rai­sed frō the horizon vnto any point assigned in the globe, moue the quadrant of altitude (fixed to the Zenith) to the east or west point of the horizon as occasion requireth: the degrees of the quadrant contained between the said circle of position & the meridian expresse the quantity of the angle which it maketh: each circle of positiō may sup­ply the place of halfe an horizō, & in that respect it hath singular vse in astronomical & geographical matters, as [Page]shall be declared, if God spare me life and ability to per­forme that which I haue in hand. It remaineth now to speake of the lesser circles of the Globe.

But by your leaue sir, you haue sayd nothing of making the dials by the Globe: which is a matter men­tioned by all Astronomers in handling the vse of the Globe.

It is true, and therefore I did omit it, because it is the matter which I haue now in hand, the which I am so much the more desirous to performe, because it hath binne earnestly required by a friend of mine, whose for­wardnes in these in studies I would helpe so much as lyeth in me. Therefore let me at this instant craue pardon for that matter, vntill such time as I shall particularly dis­course thereof.

Well then proceed in the vse of the lesser circlet of the celestiall Globe.

You see that the foure lesser circles of the globe diuide the whole surface thereof into 5. partes. Euery one of them is called a Zone.

What meaneth chat word Zone?

It signifieth among the Grecians a gyrdle, or a swadling band, and therefore it is fitly applyed vnto these portions of the globe, because they in their figure represent after a manner such a thing. Of the Zones some are enclosed with one onely limit some with two: those which are inclosed with one only limit, namely with the circle arcticke, and antarcticke are the two Zones which lie about each pole, which because of their distance from the eclipticke, and place of the sunne are called cold. Not that there is ether heate or colde in heauen, but because they which dwell on earth vnder that circuit of the hea­uen, [Page]feele not the Sunne so forceable in his heat by rea­son of his obliquitie, as others doe. The other 2. Zones are limited on each side: That which is in the middest, being limited on the one side with the tropick of Can­cer, on the other side with the tropicke of Capricorne, [...]s called the burning Zone, because the Sunne keeping [...]his course continually within it doth greatlie heate that part of the earth which is subiect vnto it. The other two being nether too neare the Sunne, nor too farre of are called temperate, because they are nether so hot as the [...]one, nor so cold as the other: that which is to the North­ward is limitted with the circle arcticke, & the tropick, of Cancer, the other to the Southward is enclosed with the circle antarcticke, and the tropicke of Capricorne: The breadth of each cold zone is 47. degrees: the breadth of the burning Zone is as much: each temperate Zone hath 43. degrees in breadth. As they are described on the celestiall globe, they expresse vnto vs what starres are enclosed within each seuerall Zone, which are to be no­ [...]ed, because they adde somewhat according to their nature vnto the quality of the Zone making it more hot or cold. Thus much concerning the vse of the celestiall Globe, wherein if I seeme to haue bin ouerlong, I doe therefore craue pardon, because I haue witten it for the behoofe of our countrie men, who being not throughly seen in the Latine tongue might from hence gather that in some measure, which might further their knowledge, and satisfy their desire in these kinde of matters.