Archimedes Texts

228
greatest Sensations, as for instance it would be, if we that feel the

respirations of a gentle gale, should not feel the impulse of a per
petual winde that beateth upon us with a velocity that runs more
than 2529 miles an hour, for so much is the space that the centre
of the Earth in its annual motion passeth in an hour upon the cir
cumference of the grand Orb, as he diligently calculates; and
because, as he saith, by the judgment of Copernicus, Cum terra
movetur circumpositus aër, motus tamen ejus, velocior licet ac ra
pidior celerrimo quocunque vento, à nohis non sentiretur, sed sum
ma tum tranquilitas reputaretur, nisi alius motus accederet. Quid
est verò decipi sensum, nisi hæc esset deceptio? [Which I make to
speak to this sense.] The circumposed air is moved with the Earth,
yet its motion, although more speedy and rapid than the swiftest
wind whatsoever, would not be perceived by us, but then would
be thought a great tranquillity, unlesse some other motion should
happen; what then is the deception of the sense, if this be
not?

SALV. It must needs be that this Philosopher thinketh, that
that Earth which Copernicus maketh to turn round, together with
the ambient air along the circumference of the great Orb, is not that
whereon we inhabit, but some other separated from this; for that this
of ours carrieth us also along with it with the same velocity, as al

so the circumjacent air: And what beating of the air can we feel,
when we fly with equal speed from that which should accost us?
This Gentleman forgot, that we no less than the Earth and air are
carried about, and that consequently we are always touch'd by
one and the same part of the air, which yet doth not make us feel
it.

SIMP. But I rather think that he did not so think; hear the
words which immediately follow. Præterea nos quoque rotamur
ex circumductione terræ &c.

SALV. Now I can no longer help nor excuse him; do you
plead for him and bring him off, Simplicius.

SIMP. I cannot thus upon the sudden think of an excuse that
pleaseth me.

SALV. Go to; take this whole night to think on it, and de
fend him to morrow; in the mean time let us hear some other of
his objections.

SIMP. He prosecuteth the same Objection, shewing, that in the

way of Copernicus, a man must deny his own senses. For that
this principle whereby we turn round with the Earth, either is
intrinsick to us, or external; that is, a rapture of that Earth; and
if it be this second, we not feeling any such rapture, it must be
confessed that the sense of feeling, doth not feel its own object
touching it, nor its impression on the sensible part: but if the prin