Archimedes Texts

250
do for the most part close with those produced by the grave Au
thours first above mentioned. But albeit that the Peripatetick Hy
pothesis, by reason of its antiquity, hath had many followers and
fautors, and the other very few; first, for its obscurity, and next,
for its novelty, yet methinks I discover amongst those many,
and particularly amongst the modernes some, who for the sup
port of the opinion by them esteemed true, have introduced
other reasons sufficiently childish, I could say ridiculous.

SALV. I have met with the like, and so much worse than

yours, that I blush to rehearse them, not so much to spare the fame
of their Authours, the names of whom might be perpetually con
cealed, as because I am ashamed so much to stain the honour of
mankinde. In observing of these men, I have found that some
there are who preposterously reasoning, first stablish the conclu
sion in their fancy, and (either because it is their own, or else be
longs to a person whom they much confide in) so firmly imprint
it in their opinions, that it is altogether impossible ever wholly to
efface it: and those reasons which they themselves stumble upon,
or which they hear others to alledge in confirmation of the con
ceit entertained, though never so simple and insipid, instantly find
credit and applause with them: but on the contrary, those which
are brought against their opinion, though ingenuous and conclu
ding, they receive not only with nauseating, but with disdain and
bitter indignation, yea, you shall have one of these so inraged, as
that he will not be backward to try all wayes to suppress and silence
their adversaries: and of this I my self have had some experience.

Some in arguing
first fix in their
minds the conclu
sion beleeved by
them, and then a
dapt their reasons
to that.

SAGR. Indeed these men deduce not the conclusion from the
premises, nor confirme them with reasons, but accomodate, or to
say better, discommodate and distort the premises and arguments
to make them speak in favour of their pre-assumed and pertinaci
ous conclusions. It is not good therefore to contract familiarity
with these men; and the rather, for that their conversation is not
only unpleasant, but also dangerous. Yet let us continue our con
ference with Simplicius however, whom I have known this long
while for a man of great ingenuity, and altogether void of malice:
besides he is well verst in the Peripatetick Doctrine; so that I may
assure my self, that what shall not fall within the reach of his rea
son for the support of the Aristotelian Hypothesis, will not easily
be found out by others. But see yonder he comes, quite out of
winde, whose company we have so long desired: we were just now
speaking against the small hast you made to come to us.

SIMP. You must not blame me, but Neptune, for this my long
stay; which in the ebbe of this mornings tide hath in a manner
drain'd away the waters, for the Gondola that brought me, being
entered not far from hence into a certain Channel, wanting depth,