A voyage of the late King of Sweden and another of mathematicians sent by him : in which are discover'd the refraction of the sun which sets not in the northern parts at the time of the solstice, varition [sic] of the needle, latitudes of places, seasons &c. of those countries : by command of the most serene and most mighty Prince, Charles XI, King of Swedes, Goths and Vandals / faithfully render'd into English.

CHAP. III. Diurnal and Nocturnal Observations of the Sun. (Book 3)

BUT let us return to our Sun seen by Night; in consideration of which, the chiefest part of our Labour was undertaken; in vain for some Nights did we watch in the Observation of it; the Sky being always fill'd with Rain and Clouds; but at length in the Night between the 10th and 11th of June, an happy Season broke forth, which beyond our Expectation dispersed the former Clouds; and that was the first opportunity we had to enjoy a clear Night; we therefore saw three Parts (almost four) of the Suns Body above the Horizon, one fourth only being un∣der it; So that the Center of the Sun did really appear above the Horizon: We therefore Congratulated our selves

in the Affair, for a long time believed, but before not usual to our Eyes. Being excited by that occasion, I joyfully com∣posed the Day after the following Epi∣gram, before we proceeded any further upon the Memory and Confirmation of the Royal Observation; and such as it was, sent it to Stockholm, to the most Illustrious and excellent Count Nicholas Guldenstolp, that so before our return, it might appear what might be expected in that business.

Rex Carolus terras, quas Circulus Arcti∣cus ambit, Dum peragrat, proprias atque tuetur opes: Miratur parere suis latissima sceptris, Sol ubi continua lampade lustrat humum. Hactenus & nostris haec sensibus invia, Princeps Nullus, ait, Phoebum vidit inocciduum. Substitit in votis Alphonsi gloria Regis; Cur se perpetuo lumine jactat Iber? Sobrietas sed enim, Pietas, vigilantia, cura, Sufficiunt Carolo munera tanta Dei.

In our Observation we used the same Turret, in which His most Serene Roy∣al Majesty observed the Sun; but lest any one might think that small heighth to be the reason why so much of the Sun was discerned, we chose a Place some Paces from thence, not far from a Gallows, where there was a free Pro∣spect from the Northern Quarter; and there we found the Appearance to be no other, than out of the Turret, being satisfied with this clear and distinct Ob∣servation when the Sun was so very few hours from the Solstice, which on the following Day, June the 11th. by an Astronomical Calculation falls out 9 h. 39 before Noon. And now we thought it our business to prosecute our Journey farther to the Northward; and to look out for a Place, where abating the Re∣fraction, the whole Body of the Sun might be discerned, since it was clear that all that which appeared here of the Body of the Sun did appear by Re∣fraction only; since beyond our Opini∣on and Calculation, according to the late found out Elevation of the Pole,

more of the Sun it self was seen than ought to have been.

Daedalus, & fama est, fugiens Minoia regna, Praepetibus pennis ausu••••••e credere coelo, Insuetum per iter ge••••••as enavit ad Ar∣ctos.

So we likewise being to pass to the cold Northern Parts, did not trust to swift Wings, but to Boats very slender∣ly fast'ned together; for from hence as we go farther to the Northward, there is no more Use of Chariots, or Horses; wherefore quitting our Journey by Land, we desired the help of Pilots, whose Lan∣guage we understood no more than those who are most ignorant of it; and ent'ring into their Boats, were to strive against the Stream of the River, which wou'd suffer us neither to row nor sail, but amongst Stones and Rocks which lay in our way, which requires only a diligent help of Boats, Poles, and strong Arms to make use of them: Thus our Seamen passed along the Banks of this rocky River; and in some Places with their most vigorous Endeavours, they

seemed scarcely to get a Foot forward; and for several Hours to advance but so many Paces; and sometimes by long bendings and turnings of the River they were forced to go ashore, and hale their Boats out of the violence of the River, where nothing else cou'd be o∣therwise expected by Humane Assistance; but it seemed very hard, and strangely unusual to us, that on the Bank-side there was no room between the Thorns and Brambles, and heaps of Stones where we cou'd set our Feet; since being wearied with the Fatigue of this Haling, we at∣tempted rather to make our Journey a-Foot, and by that means make the Boat somewhat quicker and lighter. And as an addition to these our Troubles, Moun∣tains of Ice of twenty Cubits and more being driven together by the force of the Waters, cover'd both sides of the River, and they also so sloping and craggy, that every moment we dreaded their fall, to∣gether with our own Ruine: Neither was there any help for us, clinging con∣stantly with the Poles of our Boats to the Shore, had not God by his special Favour vouchsafed to avert the Mischief;

but if it did any where happen, that the course of these Mountains was inter∣rupted we joyfully leaped Ashore, admi∣ring the Nature of the Country, which not without great Pleasure to the Spe∣ctators, amongst Snows and heaps of Ice produced green Herbs and Flowers, a∣mong which was a great plenty of the Lilies of the Vallies.

Amidst these Wonders of Nature we looked for Men; and at length, as in∣deed we met with very few Houses of the Finns, we were carried to a certain Countrymans Cottage, which in their Language was called Pello. 'Tis said to be Ten old Miles distant from the City Torneo; and there was an Inn in which we might lie on Rain Dear Skins, for they make use of no other Bedding. How∣ever, amongst other Inconveniencies, this was our Comfort, that in the said place, neither Mountains or Woods hin∣der'd our prospect from the Northern Board, whereby the Sun might all Night be the less discerned; and it was a parti∣cular Gift of God that the same Night was free from Clouds; since in our whole Journey we had ever a doubtful and

lowering Sky; therefore 'twas here that we beheld, with much pleasure, the whole Body of the Sun, not only entire, but elevated more than two Diameters of its Body; and when we had tryed sufficiently in this place, with no less difficulty we performed the rest of our Journey; and on the 14th of June we Arrived at the Work-Houses of Iron and Copper at Kengis. That Night likewise favour'd our purpose; and we saw the Sun from our Boats on the River, three Diameters of its Body above the Hori∣zon.

The Situation of this place is betwen the Confluence of both Rivers, whose right Branch owes its rise to the Lakes, Streams, and Moorish Places in Lapland, and thence from Swadawara, and per∣haps further by several bendings thro' Monier and Kengis; but the left is ex∣cluded from the Western side, and the Lake Torne, situate almost in the Con∣fines of Norway, and is here precipitated with that violence thro' the tops of Mountains and broken Rocks, that the fall of the Waters near these Work-Hou∣ses for Metals, is esteemed to be 36 Feet

high, and that with extraordinary Noise, and vehement Impetuosity; but it gives an excellent advantage to the said Work-Houses, which are so placed, that where the River hath a turning to the Western Bank, it is not restrained with the Wears, tho' they be of considerable bigness; nor can it go over the top of them, but runs with a free Course, without any Cata∣racts to the opposite Bank. On the 15th Day, being troubled with vehe∣ment Cold Winds, and most boisterous Weather, we took the heighth of the Sun, amongst the interspersed Clouds, with an Astrolabe; and at length, at Ten of the Clock 15′ looking for its Altitude with an Astrolabe, the Calculation be∣ing taken off, we guessed the Latitude of the Place to be scarcely more than 66° and 45′, altho' the Sun there in the Night Time shows it self so largely a∣bove the Horizon, and makes its Day long enough, and with an ample Cir∣cuit. And here, when we were design∣ing to go further into Lapland, by the right Branch of the River, which seems to lead strait to the Northward, the In∣habitants declared, that it was not in

the Power of Man to perform such a Journey in Summer; for all Journeys into North Lapland ought to be made in Winter; but altho' the left side of the River was alike open, as before for the Boats; yet it seem'd to us to incline too much to the Western Shore; so that it was of very little use to us, from that side, to proceed one degree further; therefore supposing what we had already found out to be sufficient for the Lovers of Astronomy; and considering the ac∣count of our Time, because we were stinted to narrow Limits in the Journey, and had not as yet perform'd all that was to be done, we resolved to take our Course homeward.

Tum verò nautae incumbunt, & littore parvas Deducunt sur do naves; natat uncta cari∣na.

At our going away we had great plenty of Metals, which with great Care are drawn out of the Metallick Veins of Lapland; and those rich enough in Cop∣per and Iron, and yet not carried out

without great Charges, and very mighty Risques, thro' the Precipices of Waters

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And some pieces of the Magnet were presented to us, taken out of the same Iron Mines, which we carried home with us. The Loadstones there have very little force; and yet in one of them, which I still keep, I perceive it daily encreases, and I hope that they will augment in time, being arm'd.

Magnets are found in the Iron Mines of Sweden, and elsewhere; but those of Lapland excell in Force all that ever I had the Fortune to meet with. I pass by other things, which we saw, or were related to us, lest I shou'd seem to give an History of the People, which others have before written: And now being gotten into our Boats, we no longer, as before with our Boat Poles and Spreads, follow'd the Course of the Shore, but keeping the middle of the River, where it was most Rapid; the Rowers doubling their Strokes, we strove at least to emu∣late,

if not to outdo, the swiftness of the Waters; this was absolutely necessary, lest the Impetuosity being swifter than the Boats Course, shou'd fill our Boat with Water, and so drown it with its Waves, especially when the Waters a head of us, being roll'd with the greatest violence amongst the sharpest Rocks, Whirlpools, and deepest Gulfs, returning with like force, shou'd meet the Head of the Boat, and so detaining it as it were in a Whirl∣pool, shou'd appear altogether to over∣set it. In these Streights we were sen∣sible

Quantoque ratem qui temperat anteit Remigis officium; quanto Dux milite ma∣jor.

By so much more was the safety placed in the Pilots of our Boats; for they Steered with that Skill amongst the un∣seen Shoals, that we were so amazed and astonish'd, that when we were deli∣ver'd from Dangers, we cou'd scarcely believe our selves to be in Safety; but their Art appeared still more, and espe∣cially in some certain Places. Those

that are the most Experienc'd in this Voyage will witness, that there are some Precipices of this River, where the Boat is tossed up into the Air for the space of some Feet, the Pilot Steering in the same manner, until it is again in the Water. And this whole Voyage from Kengis to the City Torneo, which flows with one continued Channel, re∣ceives 29 Rivers, one of which makes a whole Swedish Mile in breadth; the o∣ther being less, recompence their small∣ness by the violence and rapidity of their Waves. Neither can they be passed at any time, except by the most able Boat∣men of the Place; and in one of the Ri∣vers, altho' the Passengers are expert, yet they Hire an Inhabitant to be Pilot, but which is wonderful, for two Far∣things only, venturing his Life; certain∣ly a great hazzard, as we have some∣times beheld from the Shore with hor∣ror; but necessity imposed that Law on them, for this is the King's High-way, and the only one for those who pass into Lapland for sometime in the Summer; but the Inhabitants who dwell near the River side, and those but very few, as they

live for the most part by catching of Fish, never Inhabit in any other place, since beyond the Shore side, for a long Tract, all the Lands are uncultivated and horrid; and they are contented with a little Ground, where-ever any place is found fit to be sowed; neither do they break it up with a Plough, or Plough with Oxen or Horses, but by digging and Spades temper and bring the Soil into order by the Labour of their Hands. But at our return, we were carried by so swift a Course, that we came from Kengis to Torneo, a Voyage of 16 Miles, in less than a day and halfs time. There we immediately observed the Diurnal and Nocturnal Sun, trying whether the Observations again made did agree with the former; but because it was many Days after the Solstice, this after Care was of little advantage. Having therefore once observed the Meridan Altitude of the Sun on the 18th of the Month, we perceived it to have decreased to 47°. 45′. and yet from the declination of that time gave the same elevation of the Pole with our former Observations.

And now, Courteous Reader, you have wherewith you may exercise your Wit, by enquiring into the true Causes of these Apparitions. We have given you Materials, make use of them as seems fit to your Judgments; but by your leave we interpose ours also, most freely suffering every one to abound in his own sence. What therefore apper∣tains to our Nocturnal Observations, and the true ascension of the Sun above the Horizon, because it cannot be under∣stood by all without the premised Do∣ctrine of Refraction, which is the most subtil part of the Science of Opticks, we will briefly lay down some things for the use of Students, whereby they may with greater ease take our Demonstrati∣ons.