The Discovery of a World in the Moone

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
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORLD IN
THE MOONE ***

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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.]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[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. Præf. ad 1. Lib. N. Q.

[Decoration]
LONDON,
Printed by E. G. for Michael Sparl and Edward Forrest, 1638.

[Decoration]
Perlegi hæc +paradoxa+ & novitatis graciâ 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