The life of the Most Reverend Father in God, James Usher, late Lord Arch-Bishop of Armagh, primate and metropolitan of all Ireland with a Collection of three hundred letters between the said Lord Primate and most of the eminentest persons for piety and learning in his time ... / collected and published from original copies under their own hands, by Richard Parr ...

LETTER CX. A Letter from Dr. Bambridge, Professor of Astronomy in Ox∣ford, to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Ar∣magh. (Book 110)

Right Reverend, and my singular good Lord;

BEsides my many obligations of Service to your Grace, I am in particu∣lar engaged in an expedite and resolute method of calculating Eclipses, which I hope to accomplish to your Grace's Content, and would now have presented the same, but that many other pursuits in my Astronomical Hi∣story have taken up my time. Presently after my return from your Grace, I made haste to London, but could find nothing of Dee's Books, but bare Titles, whereof some did very much please me, and encourage me to make a diligent enquiry after them. I reforted to Sir Rob. Cotton (with very kind welcome) but his Books being not yet ordered in a Catalogue, I deferred my search there till another opportunity, and now am bold to enter your Grace's Bibliotheca, with humble request that I may have the names of such Mathematical Books as were Dee's. It may be I shall find those Books, whose Titles did promise so much. If I had the Books at Oxford, I would make an abstract of all things making to Astronomical History and Chronography, the two chief Objects of my Enquiry, and safely return the Books and Ab∣stract to your Grace.

Being at London, I procured an Arabick Book of Astronomy, the Tables whereof I do perfectly understand, but the Canons annexed are more diffi∣cult, and yet do so much the more incite me to find out that particular mean∣ing, which is not possible without knowledg in the Arabick; wherefore I have made entrance into the Rudiments thereof, and hope (labore & Con∣stantiâ) at length to be able to translate any Arabick Book of Mathematicks. It is a difficult thing which I undertake, but the great hopes I have in that happy Arabia to find most precious Stones, for the adorning and enriching my 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, do overcome all difficulties, besides the great Satis∣faction to see with mine own Eyes, (videre est octava scientia) and not to be led hoodwinkt by others, who tho they may be expert in that Tongue, yet without special skill in these particular Sciences, cannot truly translate the Arabick; besides that every one hath a special purpose in his study of that Language, taking no delight to follow anothers course, (flultum est ducere invitos ca••es ad venandum). I relate this to your Grace in assurance of your Favour herein, if you please in your enquiry at Aleppo, and other Eastern Places for Syriack Books, to take in all Arabick Books of the Mathematicks

and Chronology, and amongst the rest a good Arabick Copy of the Alko∣ran, the only Book whereby that Language is attained. If your Grace have one already, I humbly request the use thereof for some time; for ours are bound Prisoners in the Library, wherein are many Arabick Books, but aut ho∣re nescio-quo, de re nescio qua. I hope to bring them in lucem meliorem, and with them many others, if I may have the gracious Rays of your favour∣able assistance. I am not yet come to the closure of my Apology, I beseech your Grace's patience a while.

Besides my Enquiries, I am very busy in the Fabrick of a large Instrument for Observations, that I may, mea fide, both teach and write; and here again I humbly entreat you to take in your Consideration my Petition at Oxford, that you would as occasion shall be offered commend to the Munificence of some noble Benefactors this excellent and rare part of Astronomy (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) which would certainly commend them to Posterity; in the mean time, I would not fail to publish their Fame unto the Learned World.

I may not forget, in my return from your Grace, I called on Mr. Burton, to see his Leland, and there in the Catalogue of Books in Worcester Church I found, Commentarii 'Dunchagt praesulis Hybernensis in Mart. Capel. opus erudi∣tum, if I do well remember, for I cannot now find my written note. I spake to the Dean of Worcester (who was with me at Oxford) about it, but he made no esteem thereof. Yet if it please your Grace, I will cause it to be perused. I shall account my self very happy, if I may here do any thing worthy your Grace's Acceptation. In the mean time I much desire to hear of your Grace's safe return into Ireland, with your worthy Confort, and with many hearty Prayers to God, that you may live many heathful and happy Years, I rest

Your Grace's most humbly devoted Servant, John Bainbridg.

Oxon. Octob. 3. 1626.