CHAPT. I. Of the two Poles of the World.

THe Earth with the Waters making both to­gether a perfect and just round Globe, the which all Mathematicians by good and in­fallible reas [...]ns confirme, as also by experi­ence it is found so to be. This Globe, the Everlasting and Almightie God hath firmely placed in the middle of the world, as a center or middle point thereof, & hath so placed the Heavens as a hol­lowe Globe, with so unmeasurable wydenes round about the same, that the distance thereof is equally set, and separated from the earth in all places alike, like unto the compas of a circle which is equally drawne and separated from the middle point thereof: and hath so ordayned, that every 24 howres it is caried about the world: by the which dayly motion, it draw­eth with it all the heavenly lights, as the Sonne, Moone, and all the starres, the which also by that meanes everie 24 howres are carried round about the whole World, as it is dayly seen.

This moveing or stirring of the heavens is performed upon two sure fast pointes, that stand directly each against other, in such manner, as if a bale should be turned round upon two pinnes, as upon an axeltree. So suppose that you see a straight line stretch­ing out from one of the aforesayd pointes of the heavens to the other, like to an axeltree, the same is it that passeth right through the center, (that is through the middle of the earth) this line is called the Axeltree of the world, and the two pointes aforesayd the Poles or Axeltree pointes of the World, the one named the North, the other the South Pole: Now that this may be the better understood, I wil declare it by this figure.

In this Figure A sheweth the Globe of the Earth, which

unmovea­bly stan­deth in the middle of the Hea­vens, which here by the Circle B C D E is fi­gured out. The Line that reacheth from B to D going through the Earth, signifieth the Axel­tree of the World, and the Pointes B and D are the Poles or Axeltree pointes, whereof the one at B is called the North Pole, and the other at D the South Pole, upon the which the Heavens (as I sayd before) everie 24 howres are moved & borne round about the Earth.

CHAP. II. Of the Equinoctiall Line.

THe whole circle of the Heavens is devyded into 360 de­grees or steppes, whereby, by the foresayd Chapter wee may perceave, that the two poles are distant one from the other 180 degrees, that is half the circle of the Heavens. Right in the middle between both the Poles we suppose a cir­cle to be placed, which we call the Equinoctiall Line, or the E­quator, and is so called for that whensoever the Sonne cometh to this circle, the day and night is of one length throughout all the World. This circle is in all places equally distant from both the Poles of the World, to wit 90 degrees, & devideth the Hea­vens in two equal partes, whereof the one reacheth northward, and is called the North-part, the other southward, and is called the South-part, as it is plainly seen in the foresaid Globe or Fi­gure, where you see the circle E C the Equinoctiall Line, stan­ding just of one length from the Poles B D, deviding the Hea­vens into two equall partes, as the North-part E B C, and the South-part E D C.

CHAP. III. Of the Tropikes and Zodiacke.

THree and twentie degrees 31 ½ minutes northward from the Equinoctiall Line there is a circle supposed to be, which is called Tropicus Cancri, or the course of the Sonne in Cancer: for that when the Sonne cometh by course unto that circle, he beginneth to turne again towards the Equi­noctiall. And likewise 23 degrees 31 ½ minutes southward from the Equin [...]ctiall Line, there is another circle supposed to be, which is called Tropicus Capricorni, or the course of the Sonne in Capricornus, for that when the Sonne in winter tyme com­eth to this circle, he beginneth again to turne unto the Equino­ctiall. These two circles goe round about the Heavens, and are equally distant from the Equinoctiall. But how & in what man­ner toucheth the Sonne in his course (once in Sommer & ano­ther tyme in Winter) those two circles? It happeneth thus: we suppose a great circle to be in the Heavens wherein the Sonne holdeth his course, which lyeth thwart-wise over the Equino­ctiall, that is, the one half northward, the other half southward, in such manner, that in the place where he goeth most north­ward from the Equinoctiall Line, there he entreth into Tropicus Cancri, and where he goeth most southward from the Equino­ctiall Line, there he entreth into Tropicus Capricorni. The two pointes or places where he goeth or cutteth over the Equino­ctiall, stand right over against each other, so that both the Equi­noctiall and these two circles are devided into two equall parts, which pointes are called the one, the Equinoictall in Lent, and the other the Equinoctiall in Harvest, which by the Figure en­seweing more playnely appeareth.

Example.

Let A be the Earth, B C D the Heaven, E F C G the Equino­ctiall, B the North-pole, D the South-pole, and the Line B A D the Axeltree of the World, as aforesayd: Then the Circle K L is Tropicus Cancri, lying northward from the Equinoctial Line, & the circle H I Tropicus Capricorni southward from the Equi­noctiall Line, K F I G is the great Circle, wherein the Sonne hath his continuall course, lying crosse-wise over the Equinocti­al, reaching northward beyond the Line to Tropicus Cancri in K and southward beyond the Line to Tropicus Capricorni in I. The Equinoctiall in Lent is F, and the Equinoctiall in Harvest is G, [Page] in the places where this Circle & the Eqvinoctiall cutt or passe through each other. This Circle is commonly called the Zodi­ack, although the right name therof is the Eclipticke Line, or the passage of the Sōne, being the right middle part of the Zodiack, for the Zodiack it self is a Circle almost 20 degrees broad, that is on each side of this Circle or passage of the Sonne, 10 degrees. This Circle aforesayd is devided into 12 even partes, each part having a proper signe belonging unto it, & everie signe hath 30 degrees, so that the whole Circle (as all other Circles doe) con­teyneth 360 degrees. The names of the signes are, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces, and these are placed in this manner: Aries beginneth where the Equator & the Zodiack cut or passe through each other, in the Equinoctiall of Lent, and follow in order as aforesayd, so that the beginning of Cancer is just at Tropicus Cancri. Libra on the other side, beginneth where the Equator & the Zodiack cut or passe through each other againe in the Equinoctiall of Harvest: and the beginning of Capricor­nus is just where the Zodiacke or Eclipticke Line toucheth Tropicus Capricorni, and so forth.

CHAP. IIII. Of the course of the Sonne.

IN this Zodiack or Ecliptick Line aforsayd, the middle point of the Sonne hath his course, without once going out of it, passing through it everie yeare once, that is everie moneth through one signe, and everie day almost a degree. Upon the 20 of March stilo novo, and the 10 of March stilo vechio, when the dayes & nights are just of one length throughout al the World, then the Sonne entreth into the Equinoctiall, that is to say, into Aries, the 20 or 10 of April he entreth into Taurus, the 20 or 10 of May into Gemini, the 21 or 11 of Iune into Cancer, up­on Tropicus Cancri, and then he is at the farthest of his course northward frō the Equinoctiall, then all those that dwell north­ward from the Line have their longest day, and those that dwell southward from the Line their shortest day. The Sōne holding his course, then beginneth to turne again to the Line, and the 23 or 13 of Iulie entreth into Leo, the 23 or 13 of August into Virgo, and the 23 or 13 of September he commeth again on the Line, in the beginning of Libra, makeing the dayes and nights one again of one length throughout all the World, the 23 or 13 of October he entereth into Scorpio, the 22 or 12 of November into Sagittarius, and the 22 or 12 of December to Tropicus Ca­pricorni, in the beginning of Capricornus, then are the dayes lon­gest with them that dwell southward from the Line. The 20 or 10 of Ianuarie, the Sonne commeth further, and entreth into Aquarius, about the 18 or 8 of Februarie into Pisces, and the 20 or 10 of March he entreth again into Aries. This ought also to be known and marked: that this Zodiack standeth unmoveably with the fixed Starres, with the which everie day he is caried about from East to West, without alteration: and that the Sōne doth the foresayd yearely course contrariwise, from west to east, whereby in his dayly course he is so much hindred, that in the yeare he goeth one time lesse about then the fixed Starres.

CHAP. V. Of the Declination of the Sonne and what it is.

THe declination of the Sōne is nothing els, then his departing from the Equinoctiall: or to speak more plainly, the distance or widenes that is between the Sonne and the Equinoctiall Line. When the Sōne through the aforsayd course commeth to the Equinoctial Line, then he hath no declination, which happeneth twise every yeere, that is the 20 of March and the 23 of September stilo novo, but as sone as he is on the one or the other side of the Equinoctiall, then he hath declination, and that just as much as he is gone from the Aequinoctial. And this Declination is twofold, Northward and Southward: for when the Sonne is on the north part of the Line, then his declination is Northward, and when it is on the southpart of the Line then his declination is Southward.

CHAP. VI. How you shall finde the perfect declination of the Sonne every day in the yeere.

TO knowe the declination of the Sonne perfectly everie day in the yeere, in former tymes there were tables made which served for foure yeeres, but they were gathered out of old and corrupt observations, so that at some tymes of the yeere they differed almost a fourth part of a degree from the truth, as it appeareth by the true calculation thereof made by the Learned Astronomer Tycho Brahae. And therefore for [Page] the good of all Seafaring men, not without much labour & dil­ligence I have collected a new book of degrees for foure yeares out of the aforesayd Tycho Brahae brest corrected notes, just for the Meridian (that is) after the longitude of the Low-countries, which Tables of declinations may serve without any weightie alteratiō (or that can be any hinderance unto Seafaring men) for the space of 20 yeres. Now to know how much the Sōne in eve­rie day of the yeare declineth from the Equinoctiall, first see in what yeare and moneth you are, and what day of the moneth it is, the same day seek in the first columne, and there against it in the second columne you shall finde how many degrees and mi­nutes the Sonne is gone or declined from the Equator: but to know whether it be northward or southward, you must under­stand, that frō the 10 of March to the 13 of September it goeth on the northside from the Line, and from the 13 of September again to the 10 of March southward frō the Line. But to know whether it is a Leap-yeare, or the first, second, or third year from it, we have to that end placed a small Table under this Chapter, wherein without any labour you may finde it.

CHAP. VII. Of the fixed Starres, their declination, and how they may alter in the declination, withall shewing how men may easily learne to know them.

THe Declination of the Starres is almost like unto that of the Sonne, and is twofold, that is Northward & South­ward: those that stand Northward from the Equinoct [...]all decline northward, and those that stand Southward from the Equinoctiall decline southward. But this is the difference be­tween the declination of the Sonne and of the starres, the decli­nation of the Sonne altereth, and is increased or shortned everie day, and the one half yeere declineth northward, and the other half yeere southward: but the declination of the fixed starres is otherwise, for some of them that decline northward or south­ward, are alwayes on the north or south side of the Line: & some of them that decline northward, may decline southward, and some that decline southward may also decline northward: but that is verie long and in a great space of tyme, though some of them do it with more speed, and in shorter tyme then the rest; according to their situations in the Heavens. Some of them in­crease or decrease a minute everie three yeeres, so that everie ten or twelve yeeres they need correction, and some cannot alter a minute of their declination in 40 or 50 yeeres, as may be proved by good reason drawne from the naturall course and moving of the fixed starres. The brightest, and cheifest; and most fitte to be used at Sea, we have hereafter placed, with their right decli­nation accordig to the yeere 1608, as they by the aforesayd Ty­cho Brahae are found and observed to be situated. How great cōmoditie & profit it is for a Sea-faring man to have the know­ledge of the fixed Starres and their ordinarie course, specially in strange and long voyages, is well knowne unto all expert and skilfull Pilots. And for that in these dayes there are yet manie Sea-faring men, that have no knowledge of the fixed Starres, we will hereafter together with their declination, showe also an ea­sie and convenient way, readily to learne to knowe them, and at all tymes perfectly to knowe when each of them enter into the south or are at the highest, and are fitte to be used. In the fourth chapter it is shewed, that the fixed Starres, goe once a yeere a­bout the Heavens more then the Sonne, so that everie day they come about 4 min. further southward, which is everie weeke, a­bout half an howre, and everie moneth two howres, which that it may the better be understood, we will make it evident by an example taken from the Starre called Syrius, The great Dogge. or Canis major the great Dogge which alwayes followeth a little after the Image of the Gyant Orion & his Girdle, which is called the three Kinges,Canis ma­jor. which appeare a little over the great Dogge, it is the greatest & clearest of al the fixed Starres, which for the most part is known unto all Sea-faring men,Syrius his declination is southward from the Line, 16 degrees, and 11 minutes,

• And it is south upon the 24 of Ianuarie stilo novo, at ten of the clocke at night.
• The 23 of Februarie at eight of the clocke at night.
• The 28 of March at six of the clock at night.
• The 30 of Aprill at foure of the clocke in the eavening.
• The 30 of May at two of the clocke after noone.
• The 28 of Iune at twelve of the clocke at noone, even with the Sonne.
• The 28 of Iulie at ten of the clocke before noone.
• The 29 of August at eight of the clocke before noone.
• The 1 of October at six of the clocke in the morning.
• The 2 of November at foure of the clocke in the morning.
• The 1 of December at two of the clocke in the morning.
• The 28 of December at twelve of the clocke at night.

Whereby everie man may easily reckon at what howre and tyme this Starre is south everie day in the yeere, as well in the day tyme when you can not see it, as in the night when we may see it. And if you desire to knowe the like touching all the rest of the fixed Starres upon everie day in the yeere, then marke what was sayd before, upon what howre of the day be­fore set downe, the great Dogge commeth into the south, and then by the tables hereafter following touching the declination of the Starres, marke how long tyme the Starre you seeke for cometh into the south before or after the great Dogge, and by that meanes you shall finde the just and perfect tyme that you desire.

CHAP. VIII. How to finde the houres of the night at all tymes of the Yeere.

IN the Chapter before it is shewed, how a man at all tymes of the yeere shall perfectly know at what houre the Starres, (as wel by day as by night) come into the south or the north Now it is necessarie with all to knowe, how a man by night shal knowe and finde out what houre it is. Whereunto such an In­strument as hereafter is set downe is verie requisite, whereof you may make the like, or els you may prepare this for the pur­pose in manner hereafter following: the undermost and greatest Rondel and peece whereon the twelve moneths are marked, you must cleave upon a plaine round bord, so that (as in this Figure) the first of September be set right under, and the 27 of Februarie right over, and right in the center or middle, make a round hole, wherin you may put a reasonable wodden pinne or coper nayle, which within must be hollowe like a pipe. The other Peece whereon the houres are marked you must cleave upon another board, or peece of pastboard, and in the middle thereof also make another hole, which may goe over the nayle, & winde about it. Lastly make a Ruler of woode or coper (as the figure sheweth you) with a hole also, that it may winde about the hollow nayle, but you must looke that the one end of the Rule doth reach or stand right upon the middle of the hole of the hollowe nayle, that is, upon the center of the whole Instrument. The Instru­ment being thus prepared, if you desire to knowe what houre it is of the night by the Starres, then set the tooth that pointeth out the twelfth houre in the moveable Rōdel where the houres stand, right upon the day of the yeere whereof you desire to knowe the houre, & hold it fast standing in that sorte: after that lift the whole Instrument uppe on high & bowe the uppermost part thereof so much towards you, untill you may see the north Starre through the hollowe naile: but you must understand that the Instrument must be holden so, that the nether end of the foot thereof marked A B may stand like a water-compas. Now when you see the North-starre through the hole, then winde the Rule so long about untill that on the right side of the Rule, you may see the hinder wheeles of the great Wagon; which donne, then the Rule will point unto the houre upon the move­able Rondell what tyme of the night it is. But if it chanceth, that by any lett or hinderance you cannot see the great Wagon, then in steed thereof take the middlemost and lightest of the Watchers, and do in all pointes as aforesayd: but then you must knowe that it will be foure houres and 15 minutes later then the Rule will shew it, by reason that the aforesayd wheeles of the Wagon goe so much before the Watchers.

Here after followeth the figure of the Night-dyall, or No­cturlabium [Page]

CHAP. IX. Of the Horizon, or the Circle that boundeth the sight.

VVHere the Heavens and the Earth, or the Waters seeme in our sight to meete together, that is called the Horizon, or the Circle-boūding-the-siight, because our sight endeth there, and can goe no further: by our Netherland Sea-farers it is also called the Kimmen. This Circle devideth the Heavens just in two even partes, so that just the one half is seene by us here above, and the other half can not be seene by us, because it is hidden underneath us: which happeneth in this man­ner.

The Earth, (as in the first Chapter is shew­ed) standeth as a Center in the middle of the Heavens, the which by reason of the unmeasu­rable quantitie or largenes thereof, is so farre se­parated from th Earth, that the whole thicknes [Page] of the Earth in respect of the Heavens, is no more then a pointe or prick, or at least so litle that it cannot be perceived by our sight, and that which by our sight, along upon the Earth or the Water we can comprehend (which can not reach further then about three Dutch myles, that is tenne English myles) seemeth in our eyes by reason the space is so litle, to be no other then an halfe globe falling perpendicular upon a plaine, so that our sight falleth in the Heaven, as if we stood in the middle point of the World, and sawe right compasse-wise, whereby it falleth out, that just the half of the Heavens is seen by us, and the other half is not seene by us, in like manner as if a man should lay a line o­ver the center of a circle, then the one half of the circle is above, and the other half is just under. All the heavenly lights, as the Sonne, Moone, and Starres (by the turning of the Heavens) com­ming above the Horizon are seen by us, and going downe under it, goe out of our sight.

CHAP. X. Of the Meridian or Midday-circle.

THe Meridian is a circle in the Heavens, which wee must conceive to passe through both the Poles of the World, right over our heads, and crosse-wise through the Equi­noctiall, and to cutte through the Horizon right north & south. The Sonne touching this circle is at the highest: and then it is just noone, or the middle time of the day, & likewise the Starres when they come upon this Circle, they are (like the Sonne) at the highest of the Horizon, and right south, and as soone as they have past it they begin to go downward againe.

CHAP. XI. Of the heigth of the Sonne or Starres, and what it is.

THe Heigth of the Snne or Starres is nothing els but the distance or space, that is betweene the Horizon and the Sonne or Starr it self: which to understand perfectly, you must marke, that we suppose a point or prick to be right above our heads in the Heavens, that is equally distant from the Hori­zon in all places, which point is called the Zenith, or the Head-point: Now seeing that the whole circuite of the Heavens conteyneth 360 degrees, and that the just half thereof is seene above the Horizon, it is certaine that this point called the Ze­nith in all places is above the Horizon 90 degrees, whether you turne East, West, North, or South, or any other way: now when the Sonne riseth above the Horison, and ascendeth higher and higher from it, and commeth toward this point or Zenith, wee say that as many degrees as it is ascended, from the Horizon, to­wards the aforesaid point or Zenith, that the same is the height thereof, as by example, when he is risen half up from the Hori­zon towards the Zenith, then he is 45 degrees high, and if he be risen a third part from the Horizon then he is 30 degrees high, and so forth, the like is also to be understood of the height of the Starres.

CHAP. XII. How to measure or finde the heigth of the Sonne or of the Starres.

TO finde the height, the Mathematicians have devised di­vers fitte Instruments, wherof there are two that are most to be used at Sea, which are the Astrolabium, & the com­mon Crosse-staffe, the use of the Astrolabium is plaine and well knowne unto all men, for holding the Instrument by the ring let the Sonne shine through the holes of the eares, then the ut­termost part of the Dyall (counting from belowe upwards) sho­weth how many degrees the Sonne is risen above the Horizon: as the former figure plainely showeth.

The Crosse-staffe is used thus, you must place the end of the Staffe underneath the eye, then you must remove the Crosse to and fro, untill the upper end of the Crosse standeth even upon half the Sonne or Starre, and the under end just with the Hori­zon, and then the Crosse will shewe you upon the Staffe how many degrees there are betweene the Horizon and the Sonne or Starre, that is, how many degrees they are in heigth, so you ac­count after those numbers whereof 90 standeth at the end of the Staffe that is next to your eye, the computation going backward from the other end of the Staffe: for otherwise if you reckon by those numbers that proceed forward from the end next your eye, then it will showe you how many degrees, the Sone or Starre standeth from the Zenith, or Head-point to the Horizon, as you may see by the figure enseuing.

CHAP. XIII. How you must make a perfect Crosse-staffe and how you shall marke it.

THe Crosse-staves are often tymes made the one after the other, by imitation, or patterns, and that many times without judgment or knowledge whether the patterne be good or not, whereof notwithstanding a man ought to be verie certaine, for it is a matter of great importance and there­fore I have here set downe two severall wayes easie to be under­stood, how to make the same exquisitely and perfectly, upon good reason and good ground.

Behold in the page following the Figure with the description thereof.

Make an even smoth borde, and past good paper upon it, then darwe a straight line upon one edge or side thereof, as you see in this figure a line marked C A D, then make another line as you se it marcked B C, that B C A be a right & just half square, then take a good pare of Compasses, and set one foot thereof in the Angle marked C, and compasse therewith as you see B E A, so that A E B may be a right quadrant, or fourth-part of a circle, then devide it into two partes, to E, and then devide the other half (which is A E) into 90 partes, or degrees as thus: first devide it into three partes, and then devide each third-part againe into three, & then it will be devided into 9 partes, which donne, de­vide each of them into two partes, and those Devisions or partes devide into five partes, and then it wil be devided into 90 partes. then take a straight line, and lay the one end thereof upon the Center C, & so forth upon everie severall point, which you have devided in the Quadrant, and then drawe lines from the Center C through al the aforesaid pointes, as long as the bord will con­taine them, as you may see in this figure: which dōne then your Instrument is fully made & prepared to marke your Staves ther­upon. Which to doe, with your Compasses take just the half length of your Crosse, and sett the one foot thereof in the Cen­ter C & put the other at F, and doe the like from D right to G, which two pointes or prickes drawe with a straight line unto each other as you see the line F and G, and then marke where the line F G is cut through by the lines that come out of the Center through the degrees or pointes of the quadrant: for those cuttinges through, shew upon the said line the right mar­king of your Crosse-staffe: that is, you must marke your Staffe just as you see that these lines in F G are marked, by the lines that come out of the Center and passe through it, whether the Crosse be long or short, you must followe the same order that you be taught, as in the Figure the line H I is drawne for a shor­ter Crosse then the former, and K L for one that is shorter then that, viz. whose half is just as long as the line C K.

The second manner of framing your Crosse-staffe much ex­celleth the first in perfectnes and curiositie, so you devide it per­fectly with your Compasse, which is donne in this manner. Up­on an hard evē board which is pasted with paper draw a straight line, as long as your Staffe is, and with your Compasse take the just half of the length of your Crosse, whereunto you meane to marke your Staffe, and prick it as many tymes along in the sayd [Page] line as you can: and devide each of the sayd lengthes into tenne-thousand equale partes, then look upon the table hereafter enseuing, which shewe you, how many of those pointes or parts you shall marke for each degree, and that you must doe in manner following: from the end of the Staffe, which you will make the eye-end, prick just the half length of the Crosse, and there make a crosse stroake, from whence prick for everie degree so many of the aforesaid partes as the table enseuing show­eth you. As for example, for the first degree prick 178 partes, for the second 355 partes, for the third 538 partes, for the fourth 724 partes, and so forth: Remembring that you must prick all the lengths of prickes or partes aforesayd, from the aforesaid Crosse stroke, which is marked upon the half length of the Crosse: but if you can not devide the half length of the Crosse into tenne-thou-sand partes, then devide the whole Crosse so, and then take for everie degree half so manye as the table sheweth unto you: and if you can not doe so, devide half the Crosse into a thou­sand partes, and then leave the two hinder letters of the table out, as where you should for the first degree take an hundred-seventie-and-eight partes, take but 17 partes, leaving the last figure out: but if your Crosses be so smale that you can devide the half of them into no smaller then an hundred partes, then leave out the two last figures in the table. But you must understand that the more partes that you de­vide the Crosses into, your markes will fall out so much the better and perfecter.

CHAP. XIIII. Of the cutting of the Crosse-staffe and how a man may help and prevent all the defects of the staffe.

THere being a Crosse-staffe well and exquisitely framed, according to the doctrine of the former chapter: it falleth out that certayne ignorant persons cutt off a peece from the eye-end of the Staffe, about a degree, or a degree & an half, or two degrees long, and can give no other reason of that their doing but that it must be so, and that they have experience that it ought so to be. But questionlesse seeing they prove by their experience that they do not finde their measuring with uncutt Staves perfect and right as it should be, the fault thereof is not in the Crosse-staves uncutt, but in themselves, for that they knowe not how to use the Staffe aright, nor understand not the true ground thereof. Others that will seeme wiser then the for­mer, give a reason thereof: to wit, that the Staffe must be cutte, because of the hollownes of the eye, for that otherwise the Staff cannot come to stand so that the end thereof be conjoyned to the middle point or center of the eye or sight: this reason hath some showe of truth, but notwithstanding is alike untrue & er­roneus: for the Staffe may verie well be sett, either on the inner­most or outtermost corner of the eye, so that the sight of the eye may fall to answer just to the end of the Staffe: that this is truth we will prove with good reason as followeth.

Sette the great Crosse with the middlemost upon like de­grees: to witte each upon such as for that purpose are marked upon the Staffe: then applie the Staffe (the Crosses so firmely remayning) unto your eye in such manner, (whether it be on the innermost or uttermost corner it is all one) as that you di­scerne the endes of the Crosses both above & beneath just over each other, in forme as this figure specifieth. If then you drawe straight lines by the endes of the Crosses A B and D C they shall meete just in the middle point of your sight. And inas­much as the Crosses are placed upon like degrees, the lines afore­said shall meet just upon the end of the Staffe; seeing that that end of the Staffe representeth the center of the quadrant where­by your staffe is marked.

So then the foresaid lines or endes of the Crosses answer both just upon the ende of the Staffe, and also upon the sight: so that it followeth necessarily and appeareth evidently, that the ende of the Staffe & the sight meet in one: or to speak properly, both of them stand just in the center of the quadrant.

Therefore whensoever with the Crosse-staffe you wil take the height of the Sonne or of any Starre, then observe diligently: how many degrees it is elevated above the Horizon: and place the two Crosses upon so many degrees: then applie the Staffe to your eye in such manner as that you may see the endes of the Crosses just over each other, according as is taught before: in such forme then as you finde the Staffe to stand to your eye, shall you place the Staffe (taking away one of the Crosses) when you desire to measure according to such height: this is a sure rule which will never faile, neither can you possibly misse if you follow it.

CHAP. XV. Of the breadth of the Landes.

THe breadth of Landes or Countries is no other, then the distance or widenes that is betweene the said Landes and the Equinoctiall Line, which is reckoned in a double [Page] manner, that is northerly and southerly, to the number of 90. Such Lands or Countries as lye right under the Equinoctiall Line have no breadth: but such as lye northward from it, have northerly breadth, and they that lye southerly, have southerly breadth.

Example.

The Iland of S. Thomas, in the River Gaban in Guinea lyeth right under the Line, and therefore hath no breadth, neither nor­therly nor southerly.

The Cap S. Vincent in Spaine lyeth northward from the Line 37 degrees, and therefore the northern breadth of Cap S. Vincent is 37 degrees.

The point of Lezaret in England lyeth northward from the Line 50 degrees, therefore the north breadth of Lezaret is 50 degrees.

The Cap de bona Esperance lyeth southward from the Line 34½ degrees, therefore the southerly breadth of Cap de bona Esperance is 34 1/ [...]. degrees. In like manner you must understand and reckon other Landes, Countryes and Townes.

CHAP. XVI. Of the height of Landes and Countries, and what it is.

THe height and breadth of Landes & Countries although that in them selves they are divers thinges, yet they are alwaies one like unto the other: Any Countrie being si­tuated under the breadth of 30 degrees, lyeth also in the heigth 30 degrees, which by Sea-faring men is taken without difference, but what it is, or what it hath in it or signifieth fewe men un­derstand, and yet it behoveth a Sea-faring man, that seeketh for the height of any Countries, to be expert therein, for that no man without it can well understand how any Instrument (whe­ther it be Astralabium, or Crosse-staffe, no nor the Sea-com­passe it self) should wel be used: for that these things are al built upon one foundation, & like a chaine hang one upon the other. But it may be that some man will object and say, that there are many Pilots which do not well understand such things, and yet are able to goe directly unto divers places, whither they desire to sayle: which I confesse to be true: but tell me, how many times are they deceived? how manie times are they in great doubt and fear? and how seldome dare they trust unto the height which they have taken or reckoned, whē they are to seek out any coun­trie there by? how often tymes hath it heretofore happened, that for want of such knowledge, ships have sayled out of their way either behinde England or upon France, which thought to passe through the chanell between England and France, and that in so short and well knowne, and common sayled water, as to come out of Spaine or France? what would such men doe, if they should passe the Line, and were to seeke or finde out certaine I­lands? or that after they had sayled up and downe the Seaes cer­taine moneths together, should then seek out for Lande? but I am of this opinion which I knowe everie man will grant, that it is much better and more assured to goe a way being guided by his owne eye-sight, then like a blinde man to be led by another, and knoweth not whether that other seeth well or not: but to come againe to our matter, touching the height of Countries, it is no other but the height of the Pole above the Horizon, that is to say, so many degrees as the Pole in any Land is lifted up above the Horizō, so much is the height of such a Countrie: and this height agreeth alwaies with the breadth as aforesaid. In the 10 chapter it is shewed, that wheresoever a man goeth or turneth, alwaies the one half of the Heavens sheweth it self a­bove the Horizon and the other half is hidden from us: in the first Chapter it is said that the two Poles stand right one against the other, whereby it is evidently to be understood, that when­soever a man being upon the earth is right under the Equinocti­all Line, that then both the Poles of the World, lye right in the Horizon, one in the south and the other in the north: & as much as a man travaileth northward from the Equinoctiall Line, and winneth breadth northerly, so much the north Pole riseth above the Horizon: and the south Pole contrarie wise goeth so much under: & on the contrarie, as many degrees as a man goeth from the Equinoctiall Line southward, and winneth breadth south­ward, so much the south Pole riseth above the Horizon, and the north Pole goeth so much under: which may easily be under­stood by the Figure hereafter following.

In this figure the undermost rondel that turneth about, signi­fieth the Heavens, N the north pole, S the south Pole, AE the Equinoctiall, the uppermost edge of the half moveable rundle, signifieth the Horizon, the one half of the Heavens is above it, and the other half just under it, the round bale in the middle si­gnifieth the Earth, whereon you see a litle man, that may be tur­ned upon the Earth southward and northward.

Now perfectly to marke and perceive that which is before written, that is to knowe what heigth is, & that it alwaies agre­eth with the breadth, bring the litle man upon the Earth-globe right under the Equinoctiall, that is to say, that it have no breadth, neither northward nor southward, then you shal see that both the Poles lye just with the Horizon, & that neither of them both are elevated above it, nor depressed under it: and with all you shall see that they that dwell under the Equinoctial have no heigth or elevation of the Pole, nor yet any breadth. But if you remove the man so much northward that he goeth tenne degrees upon the Earth, that is, that he commeth tenne degrees upon the north beadth, you shall see that the north-Pole shall be raised or elevated tenne degrees above the Horizon in the north, and the south Pole shall goe tenne degrees under the Horizon: and if you remove the man upon the Earth more northerly, as thirtie, fortie, or fiftie degrees, the north Pole will also be so much elevated, and the south Pole to the contrarie so much depressed under the Horizon: so that if you turne the man upon the Earth to ninetie degrees, then the north Pole also will be elevated ninetie degrees, that is the Pole wil stand right above his head, and the Equinoctiall will joyne with the Horizon in one circle: that which thus is said of the Elevating of the north Pole, is also in the same man­ner to be understood of the south Pole: for if like­wise you move the man upon the Earth in the figure toward the south, the south Pole will be elevated a­bove the Horizon, as much as the man in breadth goeth southward, and the north Pole will goe so much under the Horizon.

One thing is herein to be noted, that as much as the Pole ri­seth above the Horizon just so much the Equinoctiall goeth un­der it, and when the Pole goe [...]h under the Equinoctiall riseth a­gaine in equall proportion.

But above all you must marke, that the number of the Poles elevation added to the heigth of the Equinoctiall alwayes make even 90 degrees; so that when the Pole is elevated thirtie degrees in the north, the Equinoctiall is elevated sixtie degrees in the south: but if the south Pole be elevated above your Horizon [Page] twentie degrees, the Equinoctiall will be elevated in the north seventie degrees, which is clearly understood and shewed in this manner: we alwaies see half the heavens above the Horizon, (as aforesaid) which is twice ninetie degrees, from the south to the Zenith or the point just over our heads, and from the Zenith to the Horizon in the north. Now seeing that betweene the Equi­noctiall and the Pole there are alwaies ninetie degrees, (as is shewed in the second Chapter) it followeth that that which is beneath the Pole and the Equinoctiall, maketh also ninetie de­grees: therefore when we knowe the heigth of the Equinocti­all, and take it out of ninetie, that which resteth over is alwaies the heigth of the Pole. This also may be seene in the figure aforesaid.

CHAP. XVII. How to finde the heigth of the Pole by the Sonne.

TO finde the heigth of the Pole by the Sonne, one thing is specially to be marked, to wit, whether you are north­ward or southward from the Sonne, whether the Sonne standeth northward or southward from you is easily knowne, when you are in such a place upon the Earth as is farre from the Line, or from the Sonne, but when the Sonne is neere almost above your head, then you can not well see it with your eye, therefore set a compasse before you, that you may see where north and south is, then take your Astrolabium, and set it so that the one edge thereof stand right south, and the other north, and then you shall see at a haires breadth, whether the Sonne being at the heigth, standeth northward or southward from the head-point or Zenith: if then you will seeke the heigth of the Pole, when you are on the north side of the Sonne, that is when the Sonn is southward from you, then take the just heigth first, and as much as the declination of the Sonne is northward, take it out of your heigth & that which resteth is the heigth of the Equinoctiall in the south,With nor­therly de­clination. which subtracted out of ninetie, (as in the former Chapter is declared) then you have the heigth of the north Pole.

Example.

In this figure let P be the north Pole, and G the south Pole, E H the Equinoctiall, A B the Horizon, Z the Zenith, and D the Sonne: let the heigth of the Sonne B D be sixtie degrees above the Horizon: the northerly declination D E eight de­grees: if then you take D E eight degrees frō B D the heigth of the Sonne, there will rest B E two-and fiftie degrees, which is the heigth of the Equinoctiall, which taken out of ninetie de­grees, resteth eight-and-thirtie degrees, for the heigth of the north Pole A P, as in the sixteenth Chapter is shewed.

If the declination be southerly, then adde it to the heigth a­foresaid taken: and then if the addition be lesse then ninetie,With sou­therly de­clination. then looke upon the heigth of the Line in the south which taken out of 90, as aforsaid, it leaveth you the heigth of the north Pole.

Let the height of the Sonne be D B 40 degrees, the souther­ly declination of the Sonne E D 20 degrees, then adde E D 20 degrees, to D B 40 degrees, it maketh E B 60 degrees, the height of the Equinoctiall, which subtracted from 90, as E G the distance betweene the Equinoctiall and the south Pole, then there will rest 30 for B G, that is, as much as the south Pole is gone under the Horzion: as before is shewed, so much as the one Pole is under the Horizon, just so much is the other a­bove it, the north Pole P shall here be elevated 30 degrees.

But if the height of the Sonne being added unto the declina­tion, maketh more then 90 degrees, then you must understand, that the Equinoctiall is northward from your head just so much as the aforesaid addition is more then 90 & so consequently the south Pole also shall be so much elevated.

Example.

Looke into the figure next following, wherein let the height be D B 80 degrees, and the southerly declination E D 18 de­grees,

then if you adde E D 18 degrees to B D 80 degrees, the height of the Sonne, there will be 98 degrees for B E, seeing then that from the Horizon B, to the Zenith Z (that is the point in Heaven right above our heads) is just 90 degrees, (as in the twelfth Chapter is taught) it followeth that E the Equinoctiall is eight degrees northward from the Zenith Z, and so 82 degrees elevated in the north, above the Horizon: when E A is taken out of 90, there resteth 8 degrees for the heigth of the south Pole G, above the Horizon B, then you must understand, that you are between the Line and the Sonne.

CHAP. XVIII. How you shall finde the height by the Starres.

YOu must followe the same rule that is taught for the Sonne, touching all the fixed Starres in the south, with­out any difference, you may also doe the like with all Starres hard by the north, which goe round about the Pole, as the great Wagon, the Waiters, and such like: but seeing you may do it with lesse labour & trouble, I wil shew you the shortest & best way to doe it: first therefore it is necessarie for you to know, how many degrees they stand from the Pole, which in the table enseuing you may see.

Whensoever these starres stand right above Leyen or the North-starre, then you must subtract the declinations aforesaid: but when they come right under Leyen, then you must adde it, and so you shall have the right height.

Example.

The middlemost watcher standing right above Leyen I finde to be high above the Horizō 52 degrees, from whence I subtract 14 degrees 9 minutes, (for so much he is distant from the Pole right above) then there resteth 37 degrees 51 minutes. Comming to another place and finding the same Starre to stand right under the North-starre, above the Horizon 43 degrees, I adde thereun­to 14 degrees 9 minutes, & then I finde 57 degrees 9 minutes for the height of the Pole: in like sort you must doe with the rest.

Marke.

That the declinatiō of the Starres, which we have here & also in the seventh chapter set downe, doe not agree, and fall out a­like, with that which we have set downe in our Degree-bookes of Anno 1605: the reason is that these are placed according to the yeere of our Lord 1608 and 1609 as it is said in the aforesaid Chapter, but in the aforesaid Degree-bookes, they are placed ac­cording to Anno 1600, whereby you may partly see the altera­tion of the declination of the fixed Starres.

CHAP. XIX. Of the North-starre, and how you shall finde the Height thereby.

AL fixed Starres as in the seventh Chapter is declared, with the tyme do alter their declination, some increase, and some deminish, one more thē the other, the North-starre at this tyme is one of those, which is most subject to changing, which in Anno 1600 stood from the Pole two degrees 50½ mi­nutes, and in the yeere 1700 it wil stand two degrees and 16½ mi­nutes, so that everie three yeeres it commeth a minute nearer un­to the Pole, in Anno 1608 it stoode from the Pole two degrees 48 minutes, and thereon we have here made our reckoning, if then you will know the height by the North-starre, when it is right under the Pole, then you must adde two degrees and 48 minutes, to the height which shall be found by the Crosse-staffe, so it be right above the Pole (that is at the highest) then you must subtract two degrees 48 minutes, and then you shall have the right height, but to knowe when it is right under the pole at the lowest, then looke when the great Wagon standeth right un­der the North-starre or Leyen, if you take a lead or stick, and let it hang in your sight right upon Leyen, and the said line or stick also hangeth right between the Wagon and the horses, then Leyen is right above the Pole at the highest: to the contrarie, when the Wagon standeth above Leyen, and a Line is hanged between the Wagon and the horses, & hangeth right over Ley­en, then Leyen is right under the Pole at the lowest. This also may be marked by the Starre that standeth in the brest of Cas­siopea, [Page] for when it standeth right under Leyen, then Leyen is right under the Pole at the lowest, and when it is right above Leyen, then Leyen is at the highest above the Pole. But to know the Starres that are in the brest of Cassiopea, you must under­stand,

that it the second of five or the highest Starres that stand in Cassiopea: or if you take a staffe and hold it thwartwise, with one ende right between the Wagon & the horses, & the middle part over the north Starre, then the other end will show right upon the said Starre, which stande [...]h in the brest of Cas­siopea, which will easily be understood by this figure.

N is the north Starre: P, is the north Pole: W, is the Wagon: and C, are the Starres of Cassiopea, whereof B, is the brest.

This is a certaine and a ge­nerall rule which by no meanes can faile and in al pla­ces of the Earth (where we may see & use the north Star) is without any alteration.

CHAP. XX. How manie leagues a man may sayle upon everie stroke before he winne or loose a degree in height, & also how many leagues you are then without the Meridian or south and north line from which you sayled.

• VVhen you sayle rightsouth or north, then you sayle for a degree 20 leagues.
• And you stay under the same Meridian, that is, you goe neither more easterly nor westerly then at first you did.
• Vpon the stroke of south and by west, or north and by west, you sayle for a degree 20½ leagues
• And then you have left the Meridian or the south and north Line, under which you were at the first 4 leagues.
  • South-south-west, & n.n.e. you sayle for a degree 21 leagues.
• And then you are out of the aforesaid Line 8 leagues.
  • South w. by south, & n.e. by n. you sayle for a deg. 24 leagues.
• And without the Meridian 12½ leagues.
  • South-west & north-east for one degree 28 leagues.
• And without the Meridian 20 leagues.
  • S.w. by w. & n.e. by n. you sayle for one degree 36 leagues.
• Then you are without the Meridian 29 leagues.
  • W.s.w. & e.n.e. you sayle for a degree 52½ leagues.
• Then you are without the Meridian 48 leagues.
  • W. by south, & east by n. you sayle for a degree 103 leagues.
• And then you are without the Meridian 100 leagues.
• Sayling east or west you neither winne nor loose, but you keepe alwaies in one height.

CHAP. XXI. What is necessarie for a Seafaring man or Pilot further to know, together with an instruction to all young Seafaring men, that desire to be good Pilots.

THese aforesaid rules although that they are so necessarie & needefull for a Pilote to know, that without the know­ledge of them he can be no good Pilot, to goe anie long voyage, yet are they not sufficient to make a good Pilot, that is al are not good Pilots that understand them well. For first a good Pilot must besides them be expert at Sea, as the principall thing, which no man can learne by any speculation, but by his own ex­perience, and dealing in tyme he shall obteine it, wherby he shall [Page] know perfectly to dispose al things that occurre in the art of Na­vigation. It is most necessarie and convenient for him to knowe the Landes, and how they lye to Sea-ward, how f [...]rre, and upon what strokes of the compasse, the Pointes, Havens, and Rivers, are distant one from the other, and specially he must be perfect in reckoning his Tydes, that he may knowe everie where what Moone maketh an high water in that place, that when he would enter into any Haven or place, where he can not get in at a lowe water, then he may stay till it be half flood, or till it be high wa­ter, as tyme serveth, that he may sayle in, and save both ship and goods. It is also verie necessarie for him to knowe how the Ebbes and Floods fall out, whether it be along by, or against the Land, thereby to know when the winde is strong, whether he may lye in the streame, or goe against the streame, thereby to know whe­ther it will be any hinderance or furtherance unto him, whereon manie tymes there consisteth much. And also when a man is in the winde, whether it be in the North-sea under England, Hol­land, Flanders, or in the Chanel of the sea, under England, that he should knowe how to set his tydes and course, that he might stoppe his tides. All these things old experienced Pilots, ought willingly to shewe and learne young men that are desirous and zealous to learne the art of Seafaring, and not to hide any such thing from them, as some men doe without reason, who goe out of the waie with their Instruments, as Crosse-staves, Astrolabium and Compasses, and will not suffer the common saylers to see their work. This by some is done upon pride and unwillingnes, because they would keepe the art & knowledge onely to them­selves, and by some because they understand not their procee­dings wel, & therfore are in feare to be shamed, but let not young Seafaring men, and such as are desirous to knowe the art & cun­ning of Seafaring, for that cause leave off their studie therein, & to that end when you sayle out of any river or haven, you must reckon everie course along the reach from tonne to tonne, or frō beacon to beacon, which you must keepe well and perfectly and write it in a booke, and some times drawe the situation in man­ner of a Carde, and when you begin to leave the Land, then you must take good heede, of the Capes, Points, Towres, and other markes, and how the mouth of the Haven reacheth into the Sea, what deapth is at the enterance of the Haven, and how deepe it is both within and without, cast out your lead often tymes, and let it not rest when you are in the Haven nor in the Streame, whereby in sayling out and into the river, you shall knowe what countries are flattes, or shoring that you may beware of them, & when you are a comming without the Land, then you must ear­nestly marke what hilles or downes lie there aboutes, what chur­ches, towers, castels, or other markes stand upon them, and those you must note and counterfeit with a pēne upon severall strokes of the compasse, as they change their forme of standing by say­ling along by them, oftentymes using the lead, all which being perfectly noted, it will be a great help unto you to know the said Landes, when you come thither again.

Likewise when you passe by any strange Countrie, and sayle along so near by it that you may plainly see it, then take the coū ­terfeit or forme thereof with a penne, to knowe in what manner they shewe themselves upō such strokes of the compasse, & there let the lead fall, to see what depth and ground is there, which for your memorie you must also note, for that which you marke in that manner will staye longer by you, then that which you have but simplie seen, and heard of of an other. But when you come against any Pointes or Havens, where you meane to lade or un­lade, there you must take good heede unto your course, & marke how you sayle by that Land or Haven, and when you see any markes or towres, you must note them with a penne, and bring the markes and pointes both well together, thereby to goe right into the river, & to guide you by the lead til you be in, & when you are within and at an anker, then visite all the pointes of the Haven, and note them downe with a penne cardewise, how they reach outward and inward, that when you come thither againe, you might enter into the same place againe, and knowe the situ­ation thereof, but when you are in the open Sea, and the winde against you so that you lye by the winde, both on the one side and the other, then you must marke how long you must lye on the one bought or on the other, and when you must turne. Be­sides this you must specially note how much the ship goeth for­ward, and what you may sayle in one meale, & how the ship ly­eth, to the which ende you shall some times let the lead, or the lead line with a peece of wood hang out behinde, to see how much the ship windeth, and how much the waves casteth it out of the right course that it should hold. This you must doe upon your compasse everie evening and morning, and note it in your memoriall, that you may cast it over and peruse it againe in the Cardes, whether in noting or marking it, you should have chan­ced to have mistaken your self. You must likewise take heed to your steering, to see how much you must winde on either side in [Page] your Carde. And further when you finde a good & sure height, by your Crosse-staffe or Astrolabium, that will give you a good securitie of your right gessing, so that your compassing agreeth also with it, and then you shall certainely see in your Carde how all pointes and Countries lye from you, but if your gessing and your height agree not together, then you must warily correct your gessing according to your height, and see as near as you can whether you faile either to litle or to much in your gessing, and all this must be done with good skill and understanding in your Carde, and when you come to the place where you wil seeke for Land, then without doubt you shall land in such a place as your Instrument & good gessing shewe you.

To learne to knowe all courses and strokes perfectly by hart, to that end you must take the printed Carde and read it often­tymes over, and everie course & stroke which you finde to meet you must place togither: as from Cape Finistere to Cisarga, the West-coast of England, the Coast of Flanders, the Coast of Freesland, of Hartshals to Schagen and such like. The like you must doe with the tydes, to wete, you must note all the places (where the Mone maketh a high water upon any point or stroke of the Compasse) by each other in a Register, as in the table of the tydes hereafter enseuing you may see: and he that doth so, without doubt shall doe all things right and perfectly, and shall beare about him al the experience, and knowledge of Seafaring, needful & necessarie, which no man in the world can take from, or bereave him of.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Water-tydes and how a man shall reckon them perfectly by the Moone.

VVee have hereunto added certaine tables of the Water-tydes, as they are commonly used by Pilots, wherein is shewed upon what pointes or strokes of the Compasse the Moone must be, before it maketh a high water in any of the places set down in the tables, but you must understand, that you must not take or reckon such strokes or pointes according to our common Compasse lying flat, or driving water-compasse, but onely the north & south pointes, for they must be esteemed not after the Horizon or Kimmen, but according to the flatte or su­perficiall part of the Aequinoctiall. Therefore if you will take the Sonne or Moone by or with the common Compasse, then you must lift up the side of the Compasse so much, that the cor­ner thereof may stand right against the Aequinoctiall, & that the pinne in the middle showeth right to the Pole, and so you may take the Sonne or Moone thereafter, which will be a great dif­ference from a Compasse that lyeth flatte: for at the height of fiftie degrees, or there aboutes, and the Sonne being in Cancer, in his highest signe, that is in the highest declination, it will be half an houre before eight of the clocke before it commeth into the East, and half an houre before five before it come into the West. If you take it by a flatte Compasse, that is he goeth from East to West in nine houres, and againe from West to East in 15 houres. At the height of thirtie degrees, he commeth first a litle before half an houre past nine into the East, & a litle before half an houre past two into the West, so that in lesse then five houres and an half he goeth from East to West, & full eighteene houres and an half before he commeth againe from West to East: and seeing that the Moone some times makes his declination five de­grees more northerly then the Sonne, so it may chance that the Moone may goe an houre & more faster from the East into the West then the Sonne, so that he that will alwaise take the Sonne or Moone by our cōmon Compasse, shall often tymes much de­ceive him self if he should reckon his tides thereafter, whether it were requisite to stoppe any tides, or to enter into any havens: to prevent that, I have in the tables enseuing noted upon what houre and minute the Moone cōmeth upon such pointes, where­by the floodes are ruled, wherein onely it is necessarie to knowe the age of the Moone, that is how many tydes are past from the tyme of the new or ful Moone, for the first part of the table shew­eth the age of the Moone everie day, that is how many dayes are past since the new or full Moone. The second part of the table sheweth the houre and minutes when the Moone upon the same dayes commeth to the same stroke, as you may see on the toppe thereof, and right against it standeth the places where the Moone then maketh a high Water. As for example the Moone being 8 dayes old, I would know when it will be southwest or northeast, then I looke for the point of southwest, and in the first columne of cyfers standing under it, I tell eight downwards, or looke into the place where 8 standeth, and against it in the second columne I find 9 houres 24 minutes, and at such a tyme it is then high wa­ter in the places that are noted downe right against it, as at Am­sterdam, Rotterdam, &c. or there a southwest or northeast Moone makes a full Sea.

CHAP. XXIII. How you shall finde the tyme of the new and ful Moone.

THe former Tables of the Water-tydes are unprofitable & not to be used, when the age of the Moone is not known, and therefore we have hereunto added, an Almanack for the next tenne yeeres, one enseuing the other, wherein you may perfectly finde when it is a new or full Moone, and also the just tyme of the quarters.

Which to understand, you must first knowe, that all Astrono­mers reckon the day from one noone tyme to another, and to that ende reckon from one noone to the noone next after enseu­ing 24 houres, which custome also is observed in these Alma­nacks, thereby to shewe the difference betweene forenoone and afternoone. But to finde the tyme of the newe Moone or full Moone or of the quarters, then note first that there are two parts of the Almanacke noted with figures, the first shewing the daye of the Moneth standing against it whereon the Moone is new, full or in the quarters, The second sheweth the houre and mi­nutes of the same day: which perfectly to understand I will ma­nifest by an example.

Example.

Anno 1612 I desire to know in the moneth May, when it will be full Moone, to that ende I looke into the Almanack of Anno 1612, in the moneth May, & there I finde the full Moone, upon the 14 day, at 9 of the clock 38 minutes, that is at 9 in the night: but the new Moone in the same Month, is the 29 day, 22 houres and 33 minutes, that is so many houres after noone of that day, and therefore if you tell from the said noone 22 houres 33 mi­nutes, then you will finde that it shall be upon the 30 day at 10 of the clock and 33 minutes before noone. But to know upon what day of the weeke it is, you must first know the Sondayes letter for the yeere-and also with what letter everie moneth be­ginnes. the Sondayes letter you shall finde noted under everie severall yeeres Almanack. The Leape yeeres have 2 Sondayes or Dominicall letters, the first is used untill the 25 day of Febru­arie, the other from the 25 of Februarie unto the ende of the yeere, but with what letter each moneth beginneth, that you shall finde in this table enseuing.

If then you will know upon what day of the weeke the afore­said 14 day of May falleth, then reckon upon the line of letters standing hereunder, beginning at the first B (because May begin­neth with B) to the number of 14, then your number that you reckon will ende upon A: but for that Anno 1612 is a Leap yeere, and hath 2 Dominicall letters, to were, A & G. then (as aforesaid) from the 25 of Februarie you shall use the last, which in this is G. and for that your reckoning falles upon A, that is a day after G which is Sonday, then the 14 of May will be upon a Munday. If you looke in the moneths of Ianuarie or October, you must reckon from the first A, for those moneths begin with A, and Aprill and Iune with G, and so forth.

a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a, b.