Archimedes Texts

SIMP. In my opinion, it cannot be denied, but that your dis
course carrieth with it much of probability, arguing, as we say,
ex suppositione, namely, granting that the Earth moveth with
the two motions assigned it by Copernicus: but if that motion

be disproved, all that you have said is vain, and insignificant:
and for the disproval of that Hypothesis, it is very manifestly
hinted by your Discourse it self. You, with the supposition of
the two Terrestrial motions, give a reason of the ebbing and
flowing; and then again, arguing circularly, from the ebbing
and flowing, draw the reason and confirmation of those very
motions; aud so proceeding to a more specious Discourse, you
say that the Water, as being a fluid body, and not tenaciously
annexed to the Earth, is not constrained punctually to obey eve
ry of its motions, from which you afterwards infer its ebbing
and flowing, Now I, according to your own method, argue
the quite contrary, and say; the Air is much more tenuous, and
fluid than the Water, and lesse annexed to the Earths superfici
es, to which the Water, if it be for nothing else, yet by reason
of its gravity that presseth down upon the same more than the
light Air, adhereth; therefore the Air is much obliged to fol
low the motions of the Earth: and therefore were it so, that the
Earth did move in that manner, we the inhabitants of it, and
carried round with like velocity by it, ought perpetually to feel
a Winde from the East that beateth upon us with intolerable
force. And that so it ought to fall out, quotidian experience as
sureth us: for if with onely riding post, at the speed of eight or
ten miles an hour in the tranquil Air, the incountering of it with
our face seemeth to us a Winde that doth not lightly blow upon
us, what should we expect from our rapid course of 800. or a
thousand miles an hour, against the Air, that is, free from that
motion? And yet, notwithstanding we cannot perceive any
thing of that nature.

SALV. To this objection that hath much of likelihood in it, I

reply, that its true, the Air is of greater tenuity and levity; and,
by reason of its levity, lesse adherent to the Earth than Water so
much more grave and ^{*}bulky; but yet the consequence is false
that you infer from these qualities; namely, that upon account

of that its levity, tenuity, and lesse adherence to the Earth, it
should be more exempt than the Water from following the
Terrestrial Motions; so as that to us, who absolutely pertake of
of them, the said exemption should be sensible and manifest;
nay, it happeneth quite contrary; for, if you well remember, the
cause of the ebbing and flowing of the Water assigned by us,
consisteth in the Waters not following the unevennesse of the
motion of its Vessel, but retaining the impetus conceived before,