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IN the Ancient and Learned Ages, when it was the greatest Strife a∣mongst Men, that Eternity shou'd accompany the Glory of Arts and Sciences, they were carried in a short time to the heighth of Learning; for
the Romans emulated the Greeks, the Greeks the Aegyptians and both of them the Chaldaeans; but they all both imitated those who went before them, and were Examples to such as did follow: Only Epicurus gloried that he had no Master; and that he made the way for himself unto Truth; but that is the happiness of few People, and rarely falls out in our Times: We think it is excellent well for us, if we commendably follow; nor do we wonder that the things which are hidden deeply, shou'd be slowly discover'd; for such is the nature of our present Age, that Men avoid Difficulties, and treat lighter Matters with a slight hand, and are ignorant of very many things which they think they know, not so much thro' weakness of Judgment as Laziness. 'Tis apparent, almost to all Men, not only to Philosophers, but Unlearned, that the Sun, the Moon, and other Stars of this visible World, keep the Course which the Wisdom of the Supreme Dei∣ty ordered from the beginning; and no body is so silly as not to understand, that at set times they return to illumi∣nate the several Parts of the World; for
it is well known, that the Earth some∣times is torpid with the sharpest Cold, and bound together with the hard Frost; and sometimes in one and the same place of the World is inflam'd with the burning Heat of the Weather, and thereupon undergoes its various Vi∣cissitudes; and Experience joyned to Reason doth sufficiently, and too much confirm, that no other Cause can be as∣sign'd of that Matter, than the departure of the Sun, its return, and various Scitua∣tion; but that some Countries shou'd burn with the continual Heat of Heaven, and others grow hard with a perpetual Cold, and yet equally afford Advanta∣ges to their Inhabitants, is that which many Philosophers have call'd into Que∣stion; and is not at this Day believ'd, but by those who have found it by Ex∣perience. It would be a pleasant sight to behold the Earth in an Abridgement, to view the Scituation of it, its Form, and Bounds; some Parts very well Peo∣pled, whilst again some others are fre∣quently void of Inhabitants, thro' the violence and extremity of Cold or Heat, for there are many altogether as great
Strangers in their own, as Foreign Coun∣tries; and if they know any thing by the Relation of others, yet they them∣selves are almost Ignorant of the Matter; and hence it is, that very often they judge wrong of the Condition, both of their Native and other Countries: where∣fore, seeing it is now long since, that it seemed ill for Men to be Ignorant both of their own and Outlandish Climates, by degrees a certain Desire seized upon No∣ble Souls, by Voyages and Learned Stu∣dies, to render this Knowledge familiar to them. Without this culture of the Mind no Person cou'd have easily and soon perswaded us, who live in the re∣motest Northern Countries, that there are some People who have perpetually their Days and Nights equal; or these last, that we shou'd under∣go so different Changes, to wit, that we shou'd be sometimes destin'd to a per∣petual Night; and again, under our sometimes unsetting Sun, have no room left us for Darkness; but that they shou'd rather cry out,
The Industry of that Italian is to be commended, who not long since view'd our Northern Parts, with curious re∣searches. I am willing here to make use of his Words, out of his Manuscript, that by his Example, we may confirm our own, and invite others to do the like Matters. In questa (saith he) Zona glaciale boreale, bisogna ammirar la Pro∣videnza di Dio, nel vider il Sole, che per sei settimane resto sobre dell' Orizonte, formando a questa regione non arco ma Co∣rona, e cosi la Luna e le Stelle; ma queste non apparono per hora, cedendo al primo luminare, e campeggiono poi altretanto tempo circa il Solstitio hiemale, cosi loro
permettendo quello con la sua contenanza: Pare in un certo modo che sia degno di non minor osservatione e maraviglia in quest' effetto il sole, di quello che sarebbe se si vedesse arrestar il suo corso, come nel tempo di Josue, overo retrocedere, come in quello d' Ezechia, insegnando S. Agostino nel decimo della città di Dio, che: Quamvis miracula visibilium na∣turarum videndi assiduitate viluerint: tamen cum ea semper intuemur, inusi∣tatissimis rarissimisque majora sunt. Che se all hora fece il giorno alcune hore più longè dell' ordinario, che lo so per setti∣mane e mosi, si come ho detto, onde pare che di questo specialmente si verifichi il detto del Salmo: Ordinatione tua perse∣verat dies. So far he.
But our Weakness, not to say Lazi∣ness, causes this difficulty of Believing in many; who are very seldom perswa∣ded that the things are true, which our Countrymen, and the Inhabitants of this Kingdom, tho' of very good Repute, relate concerning the various Vicissitudes of the Year in distant places. Nothing certainly being a greater Impediment to a right understanding, than the prejudicate
Opinions of our Infancy, which having suckt in with our Mother's Milk, and an ill Education, we can hardly at last lay aside in our Old Age; for who does not, that I may use this Example, per∣swade himself that he lives in the upper part of the Earth, and the highest place of it; that others dwell on the sides, or if he can apprehend it, on the bottom of it? And yet 'tis certain, that some do Inhabit Countries farther distant from the Pole, and others live in places nearer to it. The Experience of those who Travel by Land or Sea, convinces us of this, which to deny or oppose, is the sign of a Mind either Distracted, or al∣together Perverse. Hence it is, that of late more Credit is given to some illiterate Sailors, who having sail'd round the World, have asserted that it is round, than to those Ancient Divines and Phi∣losophers, who contended that the Form of the Earth was not so, only that they might gain a greater Strength to their Authority and Doctrine. Certainly we admire, that Men eminent for Learning, at the very mentioning of whose great Names we pay respect, shou'd ever fall
into so absurd Opinions. Tertullian and Austin thought that they were over-wise, who taught that there were any Anti∣podes. Others Ridiculously.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.And Posterity perhaps will be surprized, that we, at this time of Day, are igno∣rant of many, and those not so difficult Matters neither.
And further, I do believe it is agreed amongst all Virtuoso's, and such as are given up to Ingenuous Studies, that from the first Moment the Creator of the World gave to the Sun, as to the Ruler and Governour of the Day, a motion so equal and constant to it self that every where by equal Circumvolutions, it makes also alike Courses; and produces sometimes equal, and sometimes inequal Shadows, and as much as in it lies in places alike, produces effects alike also; from whence it comes to pass, by the great Providence of God, that the Sun warping towards either Pole at set times, regulates the Days and Nights, and gives Light or Darkness to Countries, to be
estimated by the Spaces of Hours, of Days, or of Months; and it ought to seem a Paradox to none, that the Peo∣ple who dwell under the Equator, and have their Days and Nights perpetually equal, shou'd not have longer Days than those, who if they live under the very Poles, will reckon one Night to be of six Months, and the opposite Day to be equal to it; and that those who are scituated between the Aequator and the Poles, however they divide their time, reckon also so many Days and Nights to be measured in the same Spaces.
No Mathematician is ignorant, that those who live about the 65th. degree of Altitude, have their whole Day in the Summers Solstice of 24 Hours; or which is the same, at that time the Sun doth not set as well from Natural as Op∣tick Causes, before the 66th. degree be compleated: But very few Mathema∣ticians have drawn this Knowledge from the Experience of their own Eyes; from whence it comes to pass, that tho' the Inhabitants of the Country should assert this to be true, yet in this Point they wou'd not gain Credit from such as urge
only Natural Causes; and besides, the Variety and Disagreement of the Rela∣ters increases the obstinate doubts of the Incredulous, since, after the Vulgar way, some mix incredible Things with Truths. This Assertion mov'd the most Serene Prince Charles the 11th. the most Potent King of Sweden, Goths, and Vandals, and our most Gracious Sovereign, when the last Year he viewed these Regions; who, as he is endowed by the Supreme Deity with a truly Divine and Admirable Wit, and adorned with all the Gifts that are most proper for his Royal Post; so he delights to make the exactest Scrutiny into all things, and to discuss every one of them in particular, and to give as much credit to every Person as he de∣serves; so being now desirous to try with his own Eyes, what Truth there was in the common Report of the Peo∣ple, and whether they did really see in those Places a Sun which sets not: He was then in the City Torneo in Westro Botnia, scituated about 65° and 43′ of Latitude; whose Horizon, altho' it was in part hinder'd by Mountains and Woods, so that the Truth of this Matter
cou'd scarcely be discovered upon the plain ground; and besides, it being some Days after the Summer Solstice, we might doubt the opportunity of seeing it was slipped; however the undaunted Heart of the most Invincible Monarch, never fatigu'd by any Labours, conquer'd all these Difficulties: A little Tower being show'd to us of about One hun∣dred Foot high, on which the Bells of the Church of the City are hung; he gets up into it by Ladders, and those very steep, accompanied with some Eminent Persons, as Curious Wit∣nesses of this Observation; amongst whom by Name, were Count Gustavus Douglas, Governor of the Northern Pro∣vinces, Charles Piper, Secretary of State, and the Secretary of War, John Hoghu∣sen: In the Year M DC XCIV. on the 14th. of June we view'd the same until Eleven a - Clock and 53 M. at Night; at which time a little Cloud covering the Sun by little and little, it disappear'd; but about the 12th. Hour, and 6th. Minute after Mid∣night, or of our following Day, which was June the 15th the Sun passing again
out of the small Cloud, shined out very brightly; from whence it is certain that it did not set in the mean time, but that Cloud was the only Cause why it was not discerned all Night long; the Ex∣perience of the Inhabitants confirm it, who always at that time of the Year, when the Weather is clear, use to see the Sun all the Night long: The most Se∣rene King himself did not disdain to put down with his own Hand into his Table-Book this Observation; which when the rest of the Company had neglected, they were surprized the next Day at the admirable Exactness of the King, in an Affair so foreign to Royal Concern∣ments, and his most exact and Mathe∣matical Diligence; and being asham'd for the Neglect of it, and that they were outdone by their King in so small a Share of Trouble, they humbly and submissively beseech'd the King, that they might have a Copy of his Observa∣tion; His most Gracious Majesty readi∣ly granted their Requests, and gave leave to all those who desired to take a Copy of it. This way the Royal Ob∣servation came to the joyful Hands of
his Subjects; and by the Care of the most Illustrious Governor of that Coun∣try, Count Gustavus Douglas, may be read in Golden Letters upon a Table fast'ned to the Wall, near to the Altar of the Church in that City; and lest any thing should be wanting in our Te∣stimonial, for the Credit of the Transcri∣bers, behold a Confirmation.
IVnderwritten do testifie this Descri∣ption wholly to agree with the Obser∣vation of his most Serene Majesty, written with his own Hand,
Torneo, June 15. 1694.
John Hoghusen.
Certainly a Monument fit for Poste∣rity to admire, and to propose to them∣selves the Sedulity, Care, Vigilance, and incredible enduring of Toils of so great a Prince; for who being intent, and ex∣posed to mighty, not to say Royal Fa∣tigues, can endure to descend to so mi∣nute, so unusual Matters? And ye Sons of the Mathematicks whose Talent it was to fetch such things out of their
secret Places, and to demonstrate them; You, I say, ought to blush, and pub∣lickly acknowledge that your Science hath received this Improvement, not from your selves, but from the most Potent King.
Our most Gracious King having viewed these Countries, as he designed; and having travelled some Tracts of Land, inhabited by such People as ei∣ther speak, or understand the Sweedish Language; and at length being come amongst other Nations, using only the Finland, or Lapland Tongue, used by few in the World, returned with great speed according to his usual Custom. After his Return, amongst other things, he relates to his Subjects, who enjoy a milder Air, and more fertile Soil, the incredible Varieties of Days and Nights, which he had seen in the most Northern Parts of his Kingdom; not only where the day at that time is continual by the Presence of the Sun, but also where they live in Summer-time without any Night, by the perpetual Twilights; and affir∣med that he had spent a continued Day
without any Night, a thing before heard, but not at all believed by him; and when that Business, known to very few, render'd all of them doubtful who were so attentive to his Majesty's Discourse, several Questions were started, which exercised the Belief of some, and the Judgment of others: Thereupon our Mathematicians are consulted, whether really under that Elevation of the Pole, such Phaenomena's were to be expected; and which were the true Causes, why in those Places the Body of the Sun did not set: But they most humbly an∣swer'd, they believed it might be so through divers Natural Reasons to be determined by the Scituation of Places, Temper of Air, and other Changes; but as yet not at all understood by them, having never lived under that Elevation of the Pole, but only giving Credit to their Land-Maps; which being often made and corrected, cannot always me∣rit our undoubted Belief in all things; but that every Astronomical Observation should be so made, as to answer the Ce∣lestial Observations, and besides illu∣strate them; and they all to be confir∣med
by Geometrical Demonstrations, that they may shew their Readers such Reasons, as do not perswade, but force them. By this means the Science of Astronomy had its Rise, Progress, and no ordinary Increase, first from the Asia∣ticks, then from the Europaeans for many Ages, by the indefatigable Labour of the Observer. In the Northern World, the Inhabitants being studious of War, and Arms, that Science did not lye al∣together neglected, as appears from the Grave-stones, and Runick Calendars, with other very Ancient Monuments; however it was not cultivated with a Care that might equal that of the Chal∣daeans, or the Ancient Mathematicians in Greece: Nevertheless, by the Grace of God, these Ages owe their Happiness ever since the most Blessed Times of the Reformed Religion, to Kings of Pious and most Glorious Memory; and espe∣cially to His most Serene Royal Maje∣sty, which by a Paternal Affection, and truly Majestick Love for Learning, and Men of Letters, by his incredible and inexhausted Magnificence to them, hath brought not only the Mathematicks;
but all sorts of Sciences to that pitch, as neither we cou'd hope, or Foreigners believe, they cou'd ever attain to; and yet a great deal of Work is still remaining, and there will never want an occasion to any who shall be born a thousand Ages hence to add something. For many things, according to the Con∣jecture of the wise Roman, are reserved for future Ages, when the very Memo∣ry of us shall be worn out: These things and others of the like Nature, discoursed they, not without Pleasure, before His most Serene Majesty; who, after con∣sidering them more deeply, carefully weighs with himself the Force and Ef∣fects of Nature; and tho' he did not distrust his own Eyes in the Observa∣tions once made, yet that he might gain the Consent and Confession of all, and lay open the true Series of Causes, re∣solveth to send thither some Mathema∣ticians about the same time of the fol∣lowing Year, that so they might note every thing distinctly, and duly observe the differences of Motions, with the true Risings, and Settings of the Sun, and what they were with Refraction
or without it. In the mean time, his loyal Subjects made a Medal to the most grateful Memory of that so fortunate Royal Expedition, with the Picture of the King, and an agreeable Emblem.