The discovery of a world in the moone : $b or, A discovrse tending to prove that 'tis probable there may be another habitable world in that planetWilkins, John
Philosophy
The discovery of a world in the moone : $b or, A discovrse tending to prove that 'tis probable there may be another habitable world in that planet
Wilkins, John
Astronomy -- Early works to 1800; Moon -- Early works to 1800
_Veniet tempus_
(saith _Seneca_[1])
_quo ista quæ nunc latent, in lucem, dies extrahet, & longioris ævi
diligentia._
Time will come when the indeavours of after-ages shall bring such things
to light, as now lie hid in obscurity. Arts are not yet come to their
Solstice, but the industry of future times assisted with the labours of
their forefathers, may reach unto that height which wee could not
attaine to.
_Ueniet tempus quo posteri nostri nos tam aperta nescisse mirentur._
As wee now wonder at the blindnesse of our Ancestors, who were not able
to discerne such things as seeme plaine and obvious unto us. So will our
posterity admire our ignorance in as perspicuous matters. _Keplar_
doubts not, but that as soone as the art of flying is found out, some of
their Nation will make one of the first colonies that shall inhabite
that other world. But I leave this and the like conjectures to the
fancie of the reader; Desiring now to finish this Discourse, wherein I
have in some measure proved what at the first I promised, a world in the
Moone. However, I am not so resolute in this, that I thinke tis
necessary there must be one, but my opinion is that ’tis possible there
may be, and tis probable there is another habitable world in that
Planet. And this was that I undertooke to prove. In the pursuit whereof,
if I have shewed much weaknesse or indiscretion; I shall willingly
submit my selfe to the reason and censure of the more judicious.
[Sidenote 1: _Nat. Quæst. l. 7. c. 25._]
[Decoration]
The Propositions that are proved in this Discourse.
Proposition 1.
_That the strangenesse of this opinion is no sufficient reason why it
should be rejected, because other certaine truths have beene formerly
esteemed ridiculous, and great absurdities entertayned by common
consent._
By way of Preface.
Prop. 2.
_That a plurality of worlds doth not contradict any principle of
reason or faith._
Prop. 3.
_That the heavens doe not consist of any such pure matter which can
priviledge them from the like change and corruption, as these
inferiour bodies are liable unto._
Prop. 4.
_That the Moone is a solid, compacted opacous body._
Prop. 5.
_That the Moone hath not any light of her owne._
Prop. 6.
_That there is a world in the Moone, hath beene the direct opinion of
many ancient, with some moderne Mathematicians, and may probably be
deduced from the tenents of others._
Prop. 7.
_That those spots and brighter parts which by our sight may be
distinguished in the Moone, doe shew the difference betwixt the
Sea and Land in that other world._
Prop. 8.
_That the spots represent the Sea, and the brighter parts the Land._
Prop. 9.
_That there are high Mountaines, deepe vallies, and spacious plaines
in the body of the Moone._
Prop. 10.
_That there is an Atmo-sphæra, or an orbe of grosse vaporous aire,
immediately encompassing the body of the Moone._
Prop. 11.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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