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CHAP. XXII.
Of Geometry.
THis is that Geometry which Philo the Jew calls the Principle and Mother of all Arts, and has this Excellency above the rest, that whereas there are manifold Contentions among the Professors of all other Arts, the Masters of this Science generally agree in their Problems; neither is there any great matter of debate among them, but only as to Points, Lines, and Superficies, whether they be divisible or no; but they differ not from one another either in Doctrine or Tradition: only every one strives to excel the other in the Invention of new Subtilties, and in making ad∣ditions to what is already found out. Yet there is no Geometrician that could ever find out the right Qua∣drature of a Circle, or the Line truly Equal to the side: though Archimedes of Syracuse, and after him many even to our times, pretended to have found the same out. This we may say, That there are very few, or none, that do acquiesce in the Traditions and Axioms of their Predecessors; and therefore, while they go about to be still adding something which their Masters left Imperfect, they run themselves into such an extremity of Madness, which all the Helle∣bore in the World is not able to Purge away. To this Geometry, which instructs us in Lineaments, Forms, Intervals, Magnitudes, Bodies, Dimensions, & Weights, belongs the Art of making all Mechanick Engines, and
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Instruments appertaining to the Mechanick Arts; all Engines of War, and Architecture, as Battering Rams, Tortoises, Catapults, Scaling-Ladders, moving Towers, Ships, Gallies, Bridges, Carts, Carriages, Wheels, Bars; together with all those Engines by which great and massie Weights are moved and lifted up with little help, and much ease. Besides these, all those pieces of Art that move by the assistance of Weight, Wind, Water, Ropes or Lines; as Clocks, Hydraulick Organs. By this Art Mercury is said to have made certain Idols among the Egyptians, that made an Articulate noise with their Tongues, and could walk several Paces. Architas the Tarentine is also said to have made a Dove so exactly by rules of Geometry, that the Figure would move and fly of it self. And Archimedes is said to have made a Brazen Heaven in such sort, that it shew'd all the Motions of the Planets and Sphears, the like whereof we have seen brought to pass in our time. From this Art also proceed the several varieties of Guns, and Fire-vomiting Engines; of which lately my self have Written a special Treatise, Entituled Pyrographie, which I now Repent me to have done; seeing that it only Teaches a most pernicious and de∣structive Art. Lastly, Painting, Measuring of Land, Agriculture, Founders, Statuaries, Smiths, Carpenters, •nd all that make use of Wood, or Metals, all borrow •heir Experience from Geometry.
Of Geometry.
THis is that Geometry which Philo the Jew calls the Principle and Mother of all Arts, and has this Excellency above the rest, that whereas there are manifold Contentions among the Professors of all other Arts, the Masters of this Science generally agree in their Problems; neither is there any great matter of debate among them, but only as to Points, Lines, and Superficies, whether they be divisible or no; but they differ not from one another either in Doctrine or Tradition: only every one strives to excel the other in the Invention of new Subtilties, and in making ad∣ditions to what is already found out. Yet there is no Geometrician that could ever find out the right Qua∣drature of a Circle, or the Line truly Equal to the side: though Archimedes of Syracuse, and after him many even to our times, pretended to have found the same out. This we may say, That there are very few, or none, that do acquiesce in the Traditions and Axioms of their Predecessors; and therefore, while they go about to be still adding something which their Masters left Imperfect, they run themselves into such an extremity of Madness, which all the Helle∣bore in the World is not able to Purge away. To this Geometry, which instructs us in Lineaments, Forms, Intervals, Magnitudes, Bodies, Dimensions, & Weights, belongs the Art of making all Mechanick Engines, and
Page 67
Instruments appertaining to the Mechanick Arts; all Engines of War, and Architecture, as Battering Rams, Tortoises, Catapults, Scaling-Ladders, moving Towers, Ships, Gallies, Bridges, Carts, Carriages, Wheels, Bars; together with all those Engines by which great and massie Weights are moved and lifted up with little help, and much ease. Besides these, all those pieces of Art that move by the assistance of Weight, Wind, Water, Ropes or Lines; as Clocks, Hydraulick Organs. By this Art Mercury is said to have made certain Idols among the Egyptians, that made an Articulate noise with their Tongues, and could walk several Paces. Architas the Tarentine is also said to have made a Dove so exactly by rules of Geometry, that the Figure would move and fly of it self. And Archimedes is said to have made a Brazen Heaven in such sort, that it shew'd all the Motions of the Planets and Sphears, the like whereof we have seen brought to pass in our time. From this Art also proceed the several varieties of Guns, and Fire-vomiting Engines; of which lately my self have Written a special Treatise, Entituled Pyrographie, which I now Repent me to have done; seeing that it only Teaches a most pernicious and de∣structive Art. Lastly, Painting, Measuring of Land, Agriculture, Founders, Statuaries, Smiths, Carpenters, •nd all that make use of Wood, or Metals, all borrow •heir Experience from Geometry.