The Discovery of a World in the Moone

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Discovery of a World in the Moone, by John Wilkins

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Title: The Discovery of a World in the Moone Or, A Discovrse Tending To Prove That 'Tis Probable There May Be Another Habitable World In That Planet
Author: John Wilkins
Release Date: August 23, 2006 [EBook #19103]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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[Transcriber's Note:
Spelling and punctuation are as in the original, including the consistently "modern" use of V and U. Italic capital V has two forms, used interchangeably. Since italic capital U does not occur, the rounded V-form has been transcribed as U.
Greek words and phrases have been transliterated and shown between +marks+. Hebrew is shown between #marks#.
Latin quotations were given in italics; the translation was usually printed with marginal quotation marks. In this e-text, Latin passages are shown as block quotes (indented) without quotation marks, while passages with marginal quotes are shown as block quotes with quotation marks.
The six Sidenotes shown with an asterisk alongside their number were printed with an asterisk in the original text; all other notes were unmarked.
References from the Sidenotes are identified at the end of the text, followed by a complete list of errata.]
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[Illustration: Sun with six orbits, each with symbol: Mercurius, Venus, Ceres et Proserpina, Mars, Jupiter, Saturnus Sun utters: Ame omnes "Ceres and Proserpina" orbit continuing below sun shows earth with orbiting moon. Text on earth orbit: Sua fovent; Vniuersum ornant. Text on moon's orbit: Mutuo se illuminant]
THE DISCOVERY OF A WORLD IN THE MOONE.
or,
A DISCOVRSE Tending TO PROVE
that 'tis probable there may be another habitable World in that Planet.
Quid tibi inquis ista proderunt? Si nihil aliud, hoc certè, sciam omnia angusta esse. SENECA. Pr?f. ad 1. Lib. N. Q.
[Decoration]
LONDON,
Printed by E. G. for Michael Sparl and Edward Forrest, 1638.

[Decoration]
Perlegi h?c +paradoxa+ & novitatis gracia typis mandari permitto.
Mart. 29. 1638. THO. WEEKES R.P. Episc. Lond. Cap. Domest.
[Decoration]

To the Reader.
If amongst thy leisure houres thou canst spare any for the perusall of this discourse, and dost looke to finde somewhat in it which may serve for thy information and benefit: let me then advise thee to come unto it with an equall minde, not swayed by prejudice, but indifferently resolved to assent unto that truth which upon deliberation shall seeme most probable unto thy reason, and then I doubt not, but either thou wilt agree with mee in this assertion, or at least not thinke it to be as farre from truth, as it is from common opinion.
Two cautions there are which I would willingly admonish thee of in the beginning.
1. That thou shouldst not here looke to find any exact, accurate Treatise, since this discourse was but the fruit of some lighter studies, and those too hudled up in a short time, being first thought of and finished in the space of some few weekes, and therefore you cannot in reason expect, that it should be so polished, as perhaps, the subject would require, or the leisure of the Author might have done it.
2. To remember that I promise onely probable arguments for the proofe of this opinion, and therefore you must not looke that every consequence should be of an undeniable dependance, or that the truth of each argument should be measured by its necessity. I grant that some Astronomicall appearances may possibly be solved otherwise then here they are. But the thing I aime at is this, that probably they may so be solved, as I have here set them downe: Which, if it be granted (as I thinke it must) then I doubt not, but the indifferent reader will find some satisfaction in the maine thing that is to be proved.
Many ancient Philosophers of the better note, have formerly defended this assertion, which I have here laid downe, and it were to be wished, that some of us would more apply our endeavours unto the examination of these old opinions, which though they have for a long time lien neglected by others, yet in them may you finde many truths well worthy your paines and observation. Tis a false conceit, for us to thinke, that amongst the ancient variety and search of opinions, the best hath still prevailed. Time (saith the learned Verulam) seemes to be of the nature of a river or streame, which carrieth downe to us that which