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CHAP. XI. The Air. (Book 11)

1. The Dreams of the Schooles concerning the maystness of Air. 2. A foolish or unsavory objection. 3. They pre••uppose impossibilities. 4. The Air is never made Water through a condensing of its parts. 5. They beg the Principle. 6. A ridicu••ous thing of the Schooles, concerning the ••••∣tive heat of the Air. 7. The old Wives fiction of an Antiper••st••si•• •••• compassing about of the contrary. 8. The deep stupidit•••••• of the Schooles are discovered. 9. Arguments. 10. Another alike st••pidity. 11. That the Air is colder than Snow. 12. An Exhortation of the Authour unto young beginners.

A Mathematicall demonstration, that the Air and Water are primi∣ge••iall or first-born Elements, and ever unchangeable, by cold, or heat, into each other. (Book 11)

THE Schooles with their Aristotle do hitherto endow the Air with eight degrees, that is, to be most moyst; but to be hot unto four degrees, or to a mean: but they [unspec 1] give the greatest coldness to the water, with a slack or mean moystness. And so they command the Air to be twice as moystas the water; for that, because the Air by its pressing together and conjoyning, doth generate the water. But I pray you, what other thing is that, than to have sold Dreams for truth? For if the Air be co∣thickned, the moysture thereof shall be also more thick, greater, and more palpa∣ble in water, than it was before in Air: seeing that condensing cannot make a new essential form, nor is it a principle of generations; what other thing is that, than im∣pertinently to trifle? At least, the water, should not be but Air co-thickned in the moysture, to ten fold, or rather to an hundred fold, and more active, and therefore, and straightway it should moysten more, and stronger, than the Air, by a hundred fold: So far as it, that therefore the water, should be lesse moyst than the Air. But if a naked condensing doth dispose the Air to a new form; seeing the same disposi∣tion of the inward efficient, is the necessary cause of that thing generated, it must needs be that the same doth remain in the thing produced; and so, if the Air co∣thickned, be water, there shall now be but two Elements, to wit, Water and Earth: Whiles the water shall be as moyst; as while it was being at first Air, to wit, wherein the condensing alone came, which is a co-uniting of parts, but not a formall trans∣changing of a thing into a thing. For truly the form every way re-bounding from the moysture of the Air, being condensed into an hundred fold, it shall be even moyster, and shall more moysten by an hundred fold, than the auntient Air. But surely, the water doth not moysten by reason of thickness (for otherwise the Earth should, hi∣therto, more moysten) because moysture onely doth moysten, and not thickness. For else Quick-silver should more moysten the wooll or hand than water. For whatsoever doth more moysten, that it self is also more moyst; and on the other hand, whatsoever in an Elementary nature is moyster, that likewise doth more moysten. Nature laughs, to require belief of things known by reason of sense, from a Dream, and even till now, to teach the shameful devises of Airstotle for truth.

But the Schooles will say, we must thus teach it for a Maxim: That by reason whereof every thing is such, that thing it self is more such (as though that for the ho∣nour [unspec 2] of a Maxim, we must belie God!) But the water is not moyst but for the Air; therefore the Air ought to be moyster than the water. But they shall sweat more than enough, before they will prove the subsumption or second Proposition: but the Air is neither moyst nor hot in it self, and whatsoever of moysture there is in it, that is a stranged contained in it; never touching at the nature of Air, although vapours may be contained in the porinesses or hollow places of the Air. For what doth it

belong to the nature of Glasse, if it shall inclose water within it? For I shall teach by and by, that it is impossible for Air and water to be changed into each other.

And so by absurdities, the Schooles do wholly suppose impossible speculations. For it also contains an absurd and impossible thing, that Air condensed, should [unspec 3] be made water, and be the perpetual matter of Fountains. For there hath been Air pressed together by some, in an Iron Pipe of one ell, almost the breadth of fifteen fingers, which afterwards in its driving our, hath like a hand-gun discharged with Gunpowder, sent a Bullet thorow a Board or Plank. Which thing verily could not [unspec 4] be done, if the air by pressing together, might by force, be brought into water. Espe∣cially, because that experiment did no lesse succeed in the deepest cold of winter, than in the heat of Summer. What if therefore the Air being pressed together by force in a Pipe, and cold season, be not changed into water; by what authority shall the Schooles confirm their fictions, touching the co-thickning of the Air, for the springing up or over-flowing, and the continuance of Fountains? For Cold hath not the Beginnings, Causes, and properties of generating, in nature. Yea, no moysture at all is found in the aforesaid Pipe; and moreover, wet Leather in the end of a Hand-Pistoll, drieth presently.

It is also a ridiculous thing to prove the Air to be moyst by the original of Foun∣tains: [unspec 5] and likewise to prove the rise of Fountains from the supposed moysture of the Air. Both Arguments of the Schooles is from the scarcity of truth, and a childish begging of the Principle. And that they may adorn the four Elements with qualities, they attribute to every one, one, the highest quality, but another, a slack one, and the Schooles command nature to obey their fictions.

Therefore they say, that the Air is slackly bot; because they will have it neer to [unspec 6] the seigned Element of fire: that is, or because it borroweth that slack quality of its Neighbour: and it changeth its proper and native disposure, at the pleasure of its Neighbour; and that impertinently, while the speech is of native properties. Or because it hath that quality of its own disposition, and although slack, therefore notwithstanding, it shall also have such a Neighbour, which thing is alike imper∣tinent and naught. And that they may prove the moderate heat of the Air, they [unspec 7] carry on the like foolish invention of an Antiporistasis or a compassing about of the contrary. To wit, that the Air in its uppermost part is hot by reason of a nearness of the fire (and so they seign, not an essential heat, but a begged and improper one by accident) and that nigh the Earth it is likewise hot, from the reflexion of the Sun-beams. Which heat is for a little space, a stranger by accident, and therefore a seigned property of the Air. But they will have the middle Region of the Air to be wonderful cold, by reason of an Antiperistasis: To wit, because both parts of the hot air doth compass it about. Whose like, they say doth happen to deep wells, they being cold in Summer, and luke-warm all the Winter.

But I wonder at the deep or profound benummednesses of the Schooles, and the [unspec 8] drowsie distemper of the auntients. 1. Because from this their whole Structure, it appeareth, that the air is generally cold, but not meanly hot. 2. For truly the fire is not an Element in nature, and much lesse is it under the hollow of the Moon, neither therefore can it make hot the uppermost part of the Air, except by a Dream. 3. For if the Air be hot by it self, and of its Elementary property: then is it al∣wayes and every where hot, even in deep Wells. 4. But if it be hot through any other thing proper of familiar unto it, which makes it hot: then besides that it should have something besides it self mixt with it, from whence the Elementary simplicity of its own Body should cease; it should also alwayes and every where actually be hot; or lastly, should be hot by reason of something applied to it, acting by accident. Which thing is impertinent, as often as the thing to be proved, is ta∣ken as concerning essential things. Therefore if the Air be not by it self hot, it must needes be cold by it self. Since those two do subsequently exclude each other in na∣ture. 5. If the fire be never cold or moyst, and the water be never dry: so the Air can never be lesser than intensively or most moyst, and slackly hot, if the Schooles speak truth. 6. They would have that to be the middle Region of the Air, which is scarce distant half a mile from us, being unmindeful of their own Doctrine. To wit, that the Diameter of the Air, exceedes the Diameter of the Water ten fold: but that this is greater than the Diameter of the Earth two fold: which fiction being granted, the Semi-diameter of the Air should be deeper than 570000 miles.

Therefore half a mile should be as nothing in respect of the middle Air. Oh ye Schooles, I pray you awake! For if the Air should of its own accord, and of its own nature be hot, by what cause at length should it be cold in its middle part? For is it because its Neighbour on both sides is hot? But then the Air would not propose to it self wrathfulness, but rather joy, from the agreeableness of its neere nature. For why doth the Air put off its natural property, because it did on both sides touch the luke-warm Air, agreeable to it self? For how shall luke-warm powred on luke-warm, wax cold, because it doth finde luke-warmness on both sides? Or if cold be placed between two Colds, shall it therefore wax hot in its middle? I cannot sufficiently wonder at the unpolished rudeness of the Schooles, who deliver the Doctrine of Antiperistasis, which desireth so great credulity, not judgement. For although that fiction should please us, while the Air is hot about the Earth; but certainly it could by no meanes, in the Winter seasons. For truly, neither then indeed is that middle Region of the Air adorned with a native heat. 9. It is a wonder I say, that such absurd falsehood and Doctrine hath not yet breathed out of the Alps. And so hence it is manifest, that the Peripateticks do even from a study of obstinacy teach known falsehoods, least they should not swear in the words of Aristotle: or that no judgement at all is left them, that they may ingeni∣ously perform their office: and that they may think they have done enough, if they follow the herds of those that went before them. Therefore Antiperistasis is a dream of his, who when he knew not the least thing in nature; yet would seem to have known all things, and to be worshipped for a Standard-defender by the Schooles his followers. But because Aristotle fleeth to the heat of Wells in Winter, for the de∣monstration of an Antiperistasis, that shall straightway fall to the ground, through the instrument whereby we measure the just temperature of the encompassing Air: Wherein we see by handicraft-demonstration, that the Air in deep Wells and Cel∣lers is stable in the same point of heat, whether it shall please us to measure it in Winter, or lastly in the greatest heats of Summer. 10. But it being granted, that there were not an equall temperature in Wells: but yet surely it would be a foolish thing, for the Air otherwise, naturally, moderately hot, sometimes to be cold, sometimes again to be hot, as it were through despight, by reason of the applied alteration of the encompassing air. 11. The holy Scriptures declare the Snow to be colder than the water (because Snow is water, in which the utmost power of cold is imprinted) and the Air to exceed the Snow in coldness: hence it is read; He that spreads abroad the Snow and the Wooll, that the Wheat may be kept safe under the Snow, from the cruelty of the cold Air: as it were under a woolly Covering. For we see by handicraft operation, that a member almost frozen together, wax∣eth hot again under the Snow, and is preserved from putrifaction or blasting; be∣cause else the Air would straightway proceed wholly to congeal it; or if it be sud∣denly brought to the fire, it dieth by reason of the hasty action of another extream. Therefore this is to have gone thorow [meanes] if it be to go from the cold air, tho∣row Snow, water, and then into a slack luke-warmness. Therefore Snow is lesse cold than air. 12. But why, to the moystness of the water, do they implore its thickness for moystening (which is a ridiculous thing) doth it not assume the same thickness of water, even by reason of cold? For so they had at least spoken some∣thing likely to be true.

Give heed therefore whosoever thou art, that endeavourest by healing to work out the salvation of thy Soul, what a Patron the Schooles do hitherto defend. By [unspec 9] what counsel have they made the Elements, Complexions, and degrees of qualities, the foundation of healing; who being seduced not but by a sleepy credulity, have yielded the number, essence, use, properties, fruits, and passions of the Elements, and their own names to heathenish blindness. Behold how slavishly the Schooles have borrowed their Elementary qualities, and would have them be obedient at the plea∣sures of Dreams; they have coupled, increased, blunted or repressed, and divi∣ded them; they have even sent abroad as it were wan devises for the causes of natural things, knowings of Diseases, healings, and destructions of the Temples of the holy Spirit.

Therefore the air, water and earth are cold by Creation, because without light, [unspec 10] heat, and the partaking of life. Heat therefore is a stranger to them, external to the Elementary Root. But the air and earth are by themselves, dry: the water onely, is moyst. These are the qualities of those Bodies, which none may vary as it listeth

him. But the air hath emptinesses (as in its place else where) whereby it drinks up and withholds vapours. This is the state, order, Complexion of the Elements. And which belongs not to the profession of Medicine, unless by the way. And so I will shew, that in the Schooles, that which least belongeth, hath been very much search∣ed into, as if it were of the greatest moment, and that which is of the greatest mo∣ment hath been hitherto neglected. Because the whole pains of Physitians hath given place to mockeries, and unprofitable brawlings.

Therefore if the Elements do not enter into mixt Bodies, vain is the Doctrine of [unspec 11] the Schooles touching the number, composition, temperaments, concerning the con∣trariety, proportion, strife, and degree of Elements: for degrees are bound to the Seedes of simple Bodies; not to an Element. They are vain trifles, whether the forms of the Elements do remain in the thing mixt? because they are those things which are not in it, as an Element: it never ceaseth from that which it once began to be, except the water; to wit, when being espoused to the Seeds, it departs into a Body, which hath hitherto been believed to be mixt. Vain therefore is their fight, interchangeable course, Victory: and that hence, every Disease, dissolution, ruine, healing, and restoring, doth depend. Vain also is the method which is fra∣med by contraries fetched from hence. For the Schooles being by degrees guilty of those ill patched lies, however they may a long time prate concerning Complexions, at length they fail, and being contented with feigned humours, they scarce any more do debate concerning the fight of the Elements, except in the six things besides nature, and the frivolous Commands of Diet.

1. The Air and Water, are Bodies not to be changed into each other.

ALthough I have plainly shewen in the presence of many, that Heer, in his Apologie or defence against my little Book concerning the Fountains of the Spaw, had impertiuently made use of my Instrument: yet he hath not been want∣ing to mingle me with his stupidities or sottishnesses. For he saith, that I would set forth a continual motion. Neither indeed hath he known, that in that, he hath contradicted himself. For the motion ceaseth in the Instrument, after that the wa∣ter hath ascended or descended, according to the temperament of the air encompas∣sing it. For neither can that motion be any more called perpetual, than the vane of a Temple appointed for the changing of the winds. Therefore Heer hath discovered, that he knowes not what perpetual motion is. For I had divulged my

[illustration]

Instrument, that according to my Doctrine of the Fountains of the Spaw, I might prove that the air did sustain its common rarefaction or ma∣king thin, and compression or co-thickning, without the changing of its Element, For Heer saith, that the Spirit of Vitrioll hath pierced the [unspec 12] substance of Glasse; which thing, none will grant, who have known that far more subtile Liquors are preserved even in the fire. Neither hath it helped him, that I had affirmed to him, that Clavins in the Colledge of the Romane Society, had shut up water in a Glasse of this Figure, 60 years before, whereof not the least drop had perished. That which the line there signified by a Diamond sheweth. But Heer boast∣ed amongst Idiots, that he had sometimes been a Professour of the Mathematicks at Padua. Wherefore I would demonstrate in paper, his every way ignorance of the Mathematicks. But he was made in my presence dumb. But thus have I proceeded to demonstration. For the figure of the Glasse being delineated, in which A and D are the two Spheres

[illustration]

filled with air. But A, and that the upper Sphere, is outwardly shut on every side. But D is the inferiour Globe open in the end of the Channel or Pipe F. But A and D by one onely Glasse, are conjoyned by the Channel B. C. E. in which is the liquor of Vitrioll, the which, I had said to Heer demanding of me, was made red by the steeping of Roses, that it might be the more visible, that it did not putrifie through continuance. Therefore let that red Liquor be, B. C. upon this figure: therefore I have framed this Probleme or hard Question. The Liquor B. C. cannot move it self through the temperament of the encompassing air in the Channel, unless one of the Globes be open, but the other shut. The explaining of the thing granted. Let the Glasse with the Liquor, be as is above described. The ex∣plaining

of the thing required. We must shew, That the Liquor B. C. cannot be moved in the Pipe by the temperament of the encompassing air, without the opening of F. The preparing of the demonstration. It is very great, because the air suffers enlarging, and heaping together or straightning, according to the qualities of heat and cold, and because the just extension of quantity is not had in the air, unless when it is temperate.

The Demonstration. The air which is in A being made thin by the heat of that which encompasseth it, increaseth by the increase of dimensions, and therefore it takes up more room than before. Which thing notwithstanding cannot be, unless it drives the Liquor B. C. into C. E. (otherwise a poriness or fulness of little holes of the Vessel should be admitted, or a Rupture of A. Which contradicteth the supposition of Heer) and successively the air which was in C. E. into the Vessel D. But D. cannot receive that air, unless it drive away so much air through the hole of the Pipe F.

The Conclusion. Therefore without the opening in F. the Liquor B. C. had not been moved from its place. Therefore it is no wonder, that the Liquor of Vi∣trioll hath by little and little exhaled of its own accord, through the necessary o∣pening in F. Therefore the stupidity or dulness of N. is laid open; to whom, when I had given many Instruments of like sort, yet he had never observed the opening in F. Yea although I had plainly shewen these things to him (many being pre∣sent) before that he had set forth his ridiculous fable against me; yet he feigned af∣terwards that he wondred: Because that Liquor had perished by degrees. He saith, that he found the whole Vessel most perfectly shut (for neither doth that which is not exactly shut deserve to be called shut) yet he grants that a motion of the Liquor was made, which had shewen the temperature of the air. And that the Liquor was changed into air, the Glasse being shut. Therefore false observations being suppo∣sed, I will discover his misfortunes.

It being granted, that the Vessel D. is as equally shut, as is the Vessel A, ac∣cording [unspec 13] to his supposition. The thing required we must demonstrate. That the wa∣ter B. C. cannot be moved. Likewise that it cannot teach the temperature of the air; also that it could not be dried up or exhale. Likewise that it could not be turned into air. The preparing of an absurdity. For if he admitteth of the motion and dryness of the water, he ought to admit absurdities and contradictories, or to con∣fess his errours. The preparing of the demonstration. Let some heat be applied to the Vessel A. exceeding the temperature of the air encompassing: for then the air included will enlarge it self, according to the more or lesse heat, and according to, and as it exceedeth the true temperature of the air shut up in the Vessel D. against which, it driving forward the water B. C. it shall destroy the equall tenour through too much action. So that the air shall be pressed together, and co-thickned by restraint, that it may yield to the enlargement made in A.

The Demonstration. Therefore according to the supposition of Heer (that air pressed together is turned into water) the Liquor had never failed in the Vessel. Yet his own observation will have it: that the Glasse being on every side exactly shut, the water was nevertheless dried up and made air. But he cannot admit of dryness in a Glasse exactly shut, unless his own supposition be destroyed (to wit, that air pressed together is changed into water) neither again can that supposition subsist, unless he shall admit of the continuance of the Liquor; which notwithstanding doth contradict his own observation. Likewise he cannot admit of the moving of the Liquor B. C. unless he shall grant the Glasse to be opened in F, and by consequence he confesseth, he hath erred in his observation. And which thing, although by the force of demonstrations, he was constrained to confess, before that he vomited forth his Apologie with all kinde of reproaches against me, yet he hath persisted therein, to discover his own ignorances.

The Conclusion. Therefore it must needes be, if the water B. C. be moved through some temperature of the air, that both the Vessels A and D, are not shut. For else the Instrument should not be convenient for measuring of the temperature of the air (which is contrary to his supposition) for seeing the air is of the same heat about A, and about D; the Liquor B, C, shall also necessarily take rest. Because the quality of the air which encompasseth, is the moving cause of the water B. C. act∣ing with an equall strength, and giving an equall tenour. Now, through the suppo∣sition of that which is false, I will demonstrate, what may follow upon his igno∣rance.

Let I say the water B. C. according to his observation, be changed into air. In the first place, this observation cannot be admitted, without rarefying, caused by heat. Nor can that rarefying be granted, without an increase of place, beside the heat. And the increase of place cannot subsist without the enlarging or breaking of the Vessel. Because he confesseth the Glasse to be exactly shut, with a continua∣tion of the Glasse, without ruine, or poriness. 2. A transchanging of the water into air cannot be granted, without co-thickning and restraining; and restraint is not given without the addition of parts, by pressing together, actually within the same space or magnitude. Which ought altogether to be named a condensing of the air, which in this place, cannot be made but by cold alone; which sup∣poseth the air to turn into water; therefore not the water into air. Since therefore neither heat, nor cold, can turn water into air, much lesse shall that which is temperate do that. For that, this doth not beget an alteration in those Elements. Likewise air is not turned into water, because this conversion can∣not be admitted, being made by rarefaction, because the rarefying of the air doth not happen in this place without the mediation of heat. But Heer will have it, that the air is co-thickned into water by cold. Therefore water shall not be generated of air by heat. 2. That transchanging of air into water, cannot be admitted, but by con∣densing and restraining, which cannot happen in a Glasse perfectly shut, but by cold. Which agent upon the air being shut up within A and D, should change it into water, according to the supposition of Heer. For so water, had been increased by generation, in Vessels perfectly shut. Which contradicteth his own words. This pretious Liquor perished, it is no more, it hath ceased to be, and that indeed in the ra∣ging winter. Therefore, since neither heat nor cold can co-thicken air into water: much lesse shall that do it which is temperate. Therefore never. It is a wonder therefore, why it hath not hindered the drying up of the Liquor in Vessels. Since ac∣cording to his own prattle, those should be onely buried under the Snow, that they might be filled with water. Now there shall not hereafter be need of rain, if the Cave being perfectly shut and cold, continual Cisterns should be made. And like∣wise, when the water should over-weigh the air, that water shall fall into the bot∣tom of a great Vessel very closely shut, from whence, as oft as one would list, the water should be drawn out. And so that Vessel should be changed into a winter Fountain. For as Heer saith, The Vessel was very closely shut, it wanted little holes, neither had it need of opening, as well for the entrance, as the transpiration of the air. But if a new air might afterwards enter the same way, and by the same meanes, whereby the water that was changed into air, the Glasse being shut, flew out: Here∣after therefore, sweet water shall not be wanting to Marriners in a Ship, if by the cold of the night, the air growes together by drops into water. Venice and Antwerp, shall frame Fountains in the belly of a Brasse Cock, which in the Pinacle of the Temple sheweth the windes. For by the night-cold, the air shall weep, being turned into water. And although the Pipe be moyst to those that play on Flutes; that is not from the air: Otherwise Organ-Pipes also should be moyst within, which is false. For the air utters the sound or tune, and the salt vapour, drops water out of the Pipe. They having pressed air of one ell, together, in a gun, to the space of 14 fingers, even in the cold of winter: and so far is it, that the air so pressed together in excelling cold, was changed into water; that it cast out a leaden Bullet thorow an Oken Plank, more strongly than a hand-Gun or Pistollet. Now I will proceed to prove that thing by positive Reasons. Because an applied esteem or thinking, hath on every side overshadowed the Schooles with a manifold absurdity.