The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of MegaraDee, John
Philosophy
The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara
Dee, John
Geometry -- Early works to 1800; Mathematics -- Early works to 1800; Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
“+‡Geographie‡+ teacheth wayes, by which, in sũdry formes, (as
_Sphærike_, _Plaine_ or other), the Situation of Cities, Townes,
Villages, Fortes, Castells, Mountaines, Woods, Hauens, Riuers, Crekes, &
such other things, vpõ the outface of the earthly Globe (either in the
whole, or in some principall mẽber and portion therof cõtayned) may be
described and designed, in cõmensurations Analogicall to Nature and
veritie: and most aptly to our vew, may be represented.” Of this Arte
how great pleasure, and how manifolde commodities do come vnto vs, daily
and hourely: of most men, is perceaued. While, some, to beautifie their
Halls, Parlers, Chambers, Galeries, Studies, or Libraries with: other
some, for thinges past, as battels fought, earthquakes, heauenly
fyringes, & such occurentes, in histories mentioned: therby liuely, as
it were, to vewe the place, the region adioyning, the distance from vs:
and such other circumstances. Some other, presently to vewe the large
dominion of the Turke: the wide Empire of the Moschouite: and the litle
morsell of ground, where Christendome (by profession) is certainly
knowen. Litle, I say, in respecte of the rest. &c. Some, either for
their owne iorneyes directing into farre landes: or to vnderstand of
other mens trauailes. To conclude, some, for one purpose: and some, for
an other, liketh, loueth, getteth, and vseth, Mappes, Chartes, &
Geographicall Globes. Of whose vse, to speake sufficiently, would
require a booke peculier.
+‡Chorographie‡+ seemeth to be an vnderling, and a twig, of
_Geographie_: and yet neuerthelesse, is in practise manifolde, and in
vse very ample. “This teacheth Analogically to describe a small portion
or circuite of ground, with the contentes: not regarding what
commensuration it hath to the whole, or any parcell, without it,
contained. But in the territory or parcell of ground which it taketh in
hand to make description of, it leaueth out (or vndescribed) no notable,
or odde thing, aboue the ground visible. Yea and sometimes, of thinges
vnder ground, geueth some peculier marke: or warning: as of Mettall
mines, Cole pittes, Stone quarries. &c.” Thus, a Dukedome, a Shiere,
a Lordship, or lesse, may be described distinctly. But marueilous
pleasant, and profitable it is, in the exhibiting to our eye, and
commensuration, the plat of a Citie, Towne, Forte, or Pallace, in true
Symmetry: not approching to any of them: and out of Gunne shot. &c.
Hereby, the _Architect_ may furnishe him selfe, with store of what
patterns he liketh: to his great instruction: euen in those thinges
which outwardly are proportioned: either simply in them selues: or
respectiuely, to Hilles, Riuers, Hauens, and Woods adioyning. Some also,
terme this particular description of places, _Topographie_.
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