The Discovery of a World in the Moone Part 11

2. This supposed vapour cannot be either contracted into a narrow compa.s.se or dilated into a broad: 1. it could not be within a little s.p.a.ce, for then that starre would not appeare with the same multiplied light to those in other climates: 2. it cannot be a dilated vapour, for then other starres which were discerned through the same vapour would seeme as bigg as that; this argument is the same in effect with that of the paralax, as you may see in this Figure.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Suppose A B to be a Hemispheare of one earth, C D to be the upper part of the highest region, in which there might be either a contracted vapour, as G, or else a dilated one, as H I. Suppose E F likewise to represent halfe the heavens, wherein was this appearing Comet at K. Now I say, that a contracted vapour, as G, could not cause this appearance, because an inhabitant at M could not discerne the same starre with this brightnesse, but perhaps another at L, betwixt which the vapour is directly interposed. Nor could it be caused by a dilated vapour, as H I, because then all the starres that were discerned through it would be perceived with the same brightnesse.

Tis necessary therefore that the cause of this appearance should be in the heavens. And this is granted by the most and best Astronomers. But, say some, this doth not argue any naturall alteration in those purer bodies, since tis probable that the concourse of many little vagabond starres by the union of their beames may cause so great a light. Of this opinion were _Anaxagoras_ and _Zeno_ amongst the ancient, and _Baptista Cisatus_, _Blanca.n.u.s_, with others amongst our moderne Astronomers. For, say they, when there happens to be a concourse of some few starres, then doe many other flie unto them from all the parts of heaven like so many Bees unto their King. But 1. tis not likely that amongst those which wee count the fixed starres there should be any such uncertaine motions, that they can wander from all parts of the heavens, as if Nature had neglected them, or forgot to appoint them a determinate course. 2. If there be such a conflux of these, as of Bees to their King, then what reason is there that they doe not still tarry with it, that so the Comet may not be dissolved? But enough of this. You may commonly see it confuted by many other arguments. Others there are, who affirme these to be some new created stars, produced by an extraordinary supernaturall power. I answer, true indeed, tis possible they might be so, but however tis not likely they were so, since such appearances may be salved some other way, wherefore to fly unto a miracle for such things, were a great injury to nature, and to derogate from her skill, an indignitie much mis-becomming a man who professes himselfe to be a Philosopher, _Miraculum_ (saith one) _est ignorantiae Asylum_, a miracle often serves for the receptacle of a lazy ignorance which any industrious Spirit would be ashamed of, it being but an idle way to s.h.i.+ft off the labour of any further search. But here's the misery of it, wee first tie our selves unto _Aristotles_ Principles, and then conclude, that nothing could contradict them but a miracle, whereas 'twould be much better for the Common-wealth of learning, if we would ground our Principles rather upon the frequent experiences of our owne, then the bare authority of others.

Some there are, who thinke that these Comets are nothing else, but exhalations from our earth, carried up into the higher parts of the Heaven. So _Peno_, _Rothmannus_ & _Galilaeus_,[1] but this is not possible, since by computation 'tis found that one of them is above 300 times bigger than the whole Globe of Land and Water. Others therefore have thought that they did proceed from the body of the Sun, and that that Planet onely is

_Cometarum officina, unde tanquam emissarii & exploratores emitterentur, brevi ad solem redituri_:

The shop or forge of Comets from whence they were sent, like so many spies, that they might in some short s.p.a.ce returne againe, but this cannot be, since if so much matter had proceeded from him alone, it would have made a sensible diminution in his body. The n.o.ble _Tycho_ therefore thinkes that they consist of some such fluider parts of the Heaven, as the milkie way is framed of, which being condenst together, yet not attaining to the consistency of a Starre, is in some s.p.a.ce of time rarified againe into its wonted nature. But this is not likely, for if there had beene so great a condensation as to make them s.h.i.+ne so bright, and last so long, they would then sensibly have moved downewards towards some center of gravity, because whatsoever is condenst must necessarily grow heavier, whereas these rather seemed to ascend higher, as they lasted longer. But some may object, that a thing may be of the same weight, when it is rarified, as it had while it was condenst: so metalls, when they are melted, and when they are cold: so water also when it is frozen, and when it is fluid, doth not differ in respect of gravity. But to these I answer: First, Metalls are not rarified by melting, but molified. Secondly, waters are not properly condensed, but congealed into a harder substance, the parts being not contracted closer together, but still possessing the same extension.

[Sidenote 1: _Tycho Progym. l. 1. cap. 9._]

And beside, what likely cause can we conceive of this condensation, unlesse there be such qualities there, as there are in our ayre, and then why may not the Planets have the like qualities, as our earth? and if so, then 'tis more probable that they are made by the ordinary way of nature, as they are with us, and consist of exhalations from the bodies of the Planets. Nor is this a singular opinion; but it seemed most likely to _Camillus Gloriosus_, _Th. Campanella_, _Fromondus_,[1] with some others. But if you aske whither all these exhalations shall returne, I answer, every one into his owne Planet: if it be againe objected,[2] that then there will be so many centers of gravity, and each severall Planet will be a distinct world; I reply, perhaps all of them are so except the Sunne, though _Cusa.n.u.s_ thinkes there is one also, and later times have discovered some lesser Planets moving round about him. But as for _Saturne_, he hath two Moones on each side.

_Jupiter_ hath foure, that incircle his body with their motion. _Venus_ is observed to increase and decrease as the Moone. _Mars_, and all the rest, derive their light from the Sunne onely. Concerning _Mercury_, there hath beene little or no observation, because for the most part, he lies hid under the Sunne beames, and seldome appeares by himselfe.

So that if you consider their quant.i.ty, their opacity, or these other discoveries, you shall finde it probable enough, that each of them may be a severall world. But this would be too much for to vent at the first: the chiefe thing at which I now ayme in this discourse, is to prove that there may be one in the Moone.

[Sidenote 1: _De Comet. l. 5. c. 4._ _Apolog._ _Meteor. l. 3. c. 2. Art. 6._]

[Sidenote 2: _Iohan. Fabr._ _Carolus Malaptius de Heliocyc._ _Scheiner. Rosa Vrsina._]

It hath beene before confirmed that there was a spheare of thicke vaporous aire encompasing the Moone, as the first and second regions doe this earth. I have now shewed, that thence such exhalations may proceede as doe produce the Comets: now from hence it may probably follow, that there may be wind also and raine, with such other Meteors as are common amongst us. This consequence is so dependant, that _Fromondus_[1] dares not deny it, though hee would (as hee confesses himselfe) for if the Sunne be able to exhale from them such fumes as may cause Comets, why not then such as may cause winds, and why not such also as cause raine, since I have above shewed, that there is Sea and Land as with us. Now raine seemes to be more especially requisite for them, since it may allay the heate and scorchings of the Sunne, when he is over their heads. And nature hath thus provided for those in _Peru_, with the other inhabitants under the line.

[Sidenote 1: _De meteor. l. 3. c. 2. Art. 6._]

But if there be such great, and frequent alterations in the Heavens, why cannot wee discerne them?

I answer:

1. There may be such, and we not able to perceive them, because of the weaknesse of our eye, and the distance of those places from us, they are the words of _Fienus_, as they are quoted by _Fromondus_ in the above cited place,

_Possunt maximae permutationes in clo fieri, etiamsi a n.o.bis non conspiciantur, hoc visus nostri debilitas & immensa cli distantia faciunt._

And unto him a.s.sents _Fromondus_ himselfe, when a little after hee saies,

_Si in sphaeris planetarum degeremus, plurima forsan clestium nebularum vellere toto aethere pa.s.sim dispersa videremus, quorum species jam evanescit nimia spatii intercapedine._

"If we did live in the spheares of the Planets, wee might there, perhaps, discerne many great clouds dispersed through the whole Heavens, which are not now visible by reason of this great distance."

2. _Maeslin_ and _Keplar_ affirme, that they have seene some of these alterations. The words of _Maeslin_ are these (as I finde them cited.)[1]

_In eclipsi Lunari vespere Dominicae Palmarum Anni 1605, in corpore Lunae versus Boream, nigricans quaedam macula conspecta fuit, obscurior caetero toto corpore, quod candentis ferri figuram repraesentabat; dixisses nubila in multam regionem extensa pluviis & tempestuosis imbribus gravida, cujusmodi ab excelsorum montium jugis in humiliora convallium loca videre non rar contingit._

"In that lunary eclipse which happened in the even of Palme-sunday, in the yeere 1605, there was a certaine blackish spot discerned in the Northerly part of the Moone, being darker than any other part of her body, and representing the colour of red hot yron; you might conjecture that it was some dilated cloud, being pregnant with showers, for thus doe such lower clouds appeare from the tops of high mountaines."

[Sidenote 1: _Disser. 2. c.u.m nunc. Galil._]

Unto this I may adde another testimony of _Bapt. Cisatus_, as he is quoted by _Nierembergius_,[1] grounded upon an observation taken 23.

yeeres after this of _Maeslin_, and writ to this _Euseb. Nieremberg._ in a letter by that diligent and judicious Astronomer. The words of it runne thus:

_Et quidem in eclipsi nupra solari quae fuit ipso die natali Christi, observavi clare in luna soli supposita, quidpiam quod valde probat id ipsum quod Cometae quoque & maculae solares urgent, nempe clum non esse a tenuitate & variationibus aeris exemptum, nam circa Lunam adverti esse sphaeram seu orbem quendam vaporosum, non secus atque circ.u.m terram, adeoque sicut ex terra in aliquam usque sphaeram vapores & exhalationes expirant, ita quoque ex luna._

"In that late solary eclipse which happened on Christmas day, when the Moone was just under the Sunne, I plainly discerned that in her which may clearely confirme what the Comets and Sunne spots doe seeme to prove, _viz._ that the heavens are not solid, nor freed from those changes which our aire is liable unto, for about the Moone I perceived such an orbe of vaporous aire, as that is which doth encompa.s.se our earth, and as vapours and exhalations, are raised from our earth into this aire, so are they also from the Moone."

[Sidenote 1: _Hist. Nat. l. 2. c. 11._]

You see what probable grounds and plaine testimonies have brought for the confirmation of this Proposition: many other things in this behalfe might be spoken, which for brevity sake I now omit, and pa.s.se unto the next.

Proposition 13.

_That tis probable there may be inhabitants in this other World, but of what kinde they are is uncertaine._

I have already handled the Seasons and Meteors belonging to this new World: 'tis requisite that in the next place I should come unto the third thing which I promised, and to say somewhat of the inhabitants, concerning whom there might be many difficult questions raised, as whether that place be more inconvenient for habitation then our World (as _Keplar_ thinkes) whether they are the seed of _Adam_, whether they are there in a blessed estate, or else what meanes there may be for their salvation, with many other such uncertaine enquiries, which I shall willingly omit, leaving it to their examination, who have more leisure and learning for the search of such particulars.

Being for mine own part content only to set downe such notes belonging unto these which have observed in other Writers.

_c.u.m tota illa regio n.o.bis ignota sit, remanent inhabitores illi ignoti penitus_,

(saith _Cusa.n.u.s_)[1] since we know not the regions of that place, wee must be altogether ignorant of the inhabitants. There hath not yet beene any such discovery concerning these, upon which wee may build a certainty, or good probability: well may wee guesse at them, and that too very doubtfully, but we can know nothing, for if we doe hardly guesse aright at things which be upon earth, if with labour wee doe finde the things that are at hand, [2]how then can wee search out those things that are in Heaven? What a little is that which wee know? in respect of those many matters contained within this great Universe, this whole globe of earth and water? though it seeme to us to be of a large extent, yet it beares not so great a proportion unto the whole frame of Nature, as a small sand doth unto it; and what can such little creatures as wee discerne, who are tied to this point of earth? or what can they in the Moone know of us? If wee understand any thing (saith _Esdras_[3]) 'tis nothing but that which is upon the earth, and hee that dwelleth above in the Heavens, may onely understand the things that are above in the heighth of the heavens.

[Sidenote 1: _De doct. ign. l. 2. c. 12._]

[Sidenote 2: Wisd. 9. 16.]

[Sidenote 3: 2 Esd. 4. 22.]

So that 'twere a very needelesse thing for us, to search after any particulars, however, wee may guesse in the generall, that there are some inhabitans in that Planet: for why else did Providence furnish that place with all such conveniences of habitation as have beene above declared?

But you will say, perhaps, is there not too great and intollerable a heate, since the Sunne is in their Zinith every moneth, and doth tarry their so long before hee leaves it?

I answer, 1. This may, perhaps, be remedied (as it is under the line) by the frequencie of mid-day showers, which may cloud their Sunne, and coole their earth: 2. The equality of their nights doth much temper the scorching of the day, and the extreme cold that comes from the one, require some s.p.a.ce before it can be dispelled by the other, so that the heate spending a great while before it can have the victory, hath not afterwards much time to rage in. Wherfore notwithstanding this, yet that place may remaine habitable. And this was the opinion of the _Cardinal de Cusa_, when speaking of this Planet, he saies,[1]

_Hic locus Mundi est habitatio hominum & animalium atque vegetabilium_.

"This part of the world is inhabited by men and beasts, and Plantes."

To him a.s.sented _Campanella_, but hee cannot determine whether there were men, or rather some other kinde of creatures. If they were men, then he thinkes they could not be infected with _Adams_ sinne; yet, perhaps, they had some of their owne, which might make them liable to the same misery with us, out of which, perhaps, they were delivered by the same means as we, the death of Christ, and thus he thinkes that place of the _Ephesians_ may be interpreted, where the Apostle saies,[2]

_G.o.d gathered all things together in Christ, both which are in earth, and which are in the heavens_: So also that of the same Apostle to the _Colossians_, where hee saies,[3] that _it pleased the Father to reconcile all things unto himselfe by Christ, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven_.

[Sidenote 1: _De doct. ign. l. 2. c. 12._]

[Sidenote 2: Eph. 1. 10.]