Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume Ii Part 7

Pairs of his globes are very numerous which include the terrestrial of the year 1688, now and then with some modifications, and the celestial of the year 1693, these being usually, but not in all instances dated, the latter being the Paris issue or apparently a slightly modified Venetian edition of the same. It must be admitted that it is not easy to cla.s.sify the copies of his globes which followed his first issue of the year 1688, but which have the same dimensions. In not a few of these provision was made for a special dedication, the cartouch for such dedication being often left blank, to be filled when occasion seemed to offer for the bestowal of the special honor. Some of these globes containing such special dedication are known, to which reference is made below.

Examples of Coronelli's work belonging to this group may be found in the following libraries or museums: In the Landesmuseum of Zurich (Fig.

114); in the Seminario Vescovile of Aversa; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Bologna; in the Archivo di Stato of Bologna; in the Biblioteca Privato of Professor Liuzzi of Bologna; in the Convento dell' Osservanza of Bologna; in the Museo di Strumenti Antichi of Florence; in the Museo Civico of Genoa; a copy of the celestial in the British Museum of London; in the Biblioteca Brancacciana of Naples; in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Naples; in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Palermo; in the Biblioteca Antoniana of Padua; in the Bibliotheque Nationale of Paris; in the Biblioteca Cla.s.sense of Ravenna; in the Biblioteca Lancisiana of Rome; in the Accademia delle Scienze of Turin; in the Seminario Patriarcale of Venice; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Vicenza; of the terrestrial in the Royal Library of Madrid. The Vicenza examples, also those in the Archivo di Stato of Bologna and in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Palermo, are dedicated to the "Eminentissimo e reverendissimo Principe" Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. The interesting brief legend, reading "Alexander a Via Veronensis sculpsit" on the celestial globe, gives us clearly to understand that there were Venetian issues of that edition which made its first appearance in Paris under the auspices of the Societe Gallica. The gores of this issue Coronelli printed in his 'Atlante Veneto,' Volume XI.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 114. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1688.]

In the year 1696 Coronelli made an extensive European tour which carried him as far as England, an account of which he published in Venice in the following year under the t.i.tle 'Viaggio de Venezia fino in Inghilterra.'

In this work the author describes an edition of his globes which he referred to as having a diameter of "un piede e mezzo," or about 48 cm., prepared in London and dedicated to the English King William III, of which it has been possible to locate several examples. A particularly fine copy of the terrestrial may be found in the collection of The Hispanic Society of America (Fig. 115), agreeing in all its details with the other copies, in so far, at least, as the information obtained seems to indicate. In an elaborately decorated cartouch near the south polar region is the dedicatory inscription, reading "Glob.u.m hujusmodi Terraqueum Guglielmo invictissimo ac potentissimo Magnae Britaniae etc.

Regi Dicat, Vocat. consecrat. Pater, Magister Vincentius Coronelli Mon.

Con. S. Francisci Serenissimae Venetorum Reipublicae Cosmographus MDCLx.x.xXVI. Londini." "This terrestrial globe, Father and Master Vincentio Coronelli, Brother of the Franciscan Order and Cosmographer of the Venetian Republic, dedicates, names and consecrates to William III, the Invincible and Mighty King of Great Britain." Not far from the above is a somewhat elaborate representation of the king's coat of arms with the motto "Hony soit qui mal y pense. Je maintienderay." Its mounting consists of a narrow graduated meridian circle of wood which is made to pa.s.s, in the usual manner, through a horizon circle of wood, the outer edge of which is octagonal. The upper surface of this horizon circle is covered with an engraved horizon sheet giving within concentric circles the names of the zodiacal constellations, names of the months with the names of the prominent saints, the names of the princ.i.p.al winds, and of the princ.i.p.al directions in Italian. It has a supporting base of four artistically turned columns with binding crossbars extending from each post to a central circular plate 17 cm. in diameter, carrying the post through a slot in which the meridian circle is made to pa.s.s. The north pole is topped with a thin pasteboard hour circle and pointer. The globe map is composed of twelve gores which are truncated in lat.i.tude 80 degrees both north and south, the polar s.p.a.ces being covered with circular discs, and are cut on the line of the equator. The sphere is exceedingly light in weight, being composed of papier-mache. In every particular the globe is one remarkably well preserved, and is one of the finest examples of early globe making in the society's collection.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 115. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1696.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 115a. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1693.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 115b. Celestial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1693.]

In geographical names the map records are very full, these being given either in Italian, Spanish, Latin, Dutch, English, or in the native language of the country in which they appear. Curiously enough in many instances the author appears to give his own peculiar spelling, approaching therein, to the best of his ability, the spelling suggested by the p.r.o.nunciation of the several names. Legends are exceedingly numerous, many of them recording incidents relating to certain expeditions or to certain discoveries, such as the expedition of Magellan; early expeditions along the west coast of North America, including reference to Cortes, Ulloa, Alarcon, Cabrillo, Guzman, Drake; expeditions to the East Indies, including that of Le Maire, Hoorn, Van Diemen, Chaumont, and others. Boundary lines of local regions, in both the Old and the New World are exceedingly numerous, which fact in itself gives a somewhat unique value to the map as of geographical and historical value. California appears as an island, and a great stretch of ocean appears between northwest North America and northeast Asia wherein is located land with indefinite outline marked, "Terra de Jesso o Jeco, Yedco, Esso et Sesso Scoperta dagli Hollandesi l'anno 1643." The map of North America is particularly of interest and value, especially for the region of the United States.

Pictures of ships sailing the ocean, those of the oriental peoples as well as those of the occidental are numerous, as are also pictures representing seal fishing, and pictures representing the methods of capturing polar bears and whales. It is interesting to note that loxodromic lines or sailing lines have disappeared from such maps, that the map and the chart are here seen to merge.

The celestial globe of this edition has practically the same dedication as the terrestrial, the word "Terraqueum" alone being changed to "Coelestem." There is on this the following address: "Amico Lettore.

Oltre ai molti Globi delineati dal P. Cosmografo Coronelli per Sovrani diversi di varie e vaste misure, ne ha ultimamente composti e stampati di cinque grandezze a pubblico beneficio, fra i quali i piu comodi ed esatti sono i presenti. I numeri che accompagnano le stelle calcolate all'epoca del 1700; cos l'altre notizie, ad uso dei medesimi Globi, vengono nel suo Epitome Cosmografico diffusamente spiegati." "Dear reader. Besides the many globes delineated by the cosmographer P.

Coronelli, for divers Sovereigns, he has recently composed and printed some in five sizes for the use of the public, among which the most convenient and exact are the present ones. The numbers that accompany the stars are calculated for the epoch 1700; moreover the other particulars for the use of these same globes are extensively developed in his Epitome Cosmografico."

In the reference to the several constellations there is repeated, with but slight alteration, the statements made on his larger globes, the position of the fixed stars being referred to the year 1700.

Examples of the 1696 edition of Coronelli's globes may be found in the Seminario Vescovile of Finale; in the Biblioteca Franzoniana of Genoa; in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of Nurnberg; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Perugia; in the Museo Civico of Trieste; a copy of the terrestrial in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Florence, and one in the Certosa of Pisa; the unmounted gores of the celestial in the Museo Astronomico of Rome.

The globes of the year 1696 were reissued in the year 1699, with certain unimportant alterations. It may be noted that as in certain copies of the 1693 edition the cartouch designed for a dedicatory inscription was left blank, that the author might insert the name of the recipient whom he might choose to honor. So in his globes of the year 1699 he left a like blank s.p.a.ce, but in the terrestrial globe he inscribed what he evidently felt he should want to insert in each instance--a dedication in blank, as it were, reading "D. D. D. Pater Magister Vincentius Coronelli Mon: Con: Francisci Serenissimae Venetorum Reipublicae Cosmographus MDCLx.x.xXIX." One example has been located in which the name of the honored individual has been inserted, reading, in addition to the author and date as above, "Ill.u.s.trissimo et Praexcelso n.o.bili Viro D. D.

Comiti Aloysio Paoluccio Militiae Sanctae Apostolicae Sedis in Piceno Praefecto," this copy being in the Biblioteca Privato of Sr. Remigio Salotti of Modena. Copies of each of the 1699 issue may also be found in the Biblioteca Marucelliana of Florence; in the Biblioteca Vittorio Emanuele of Rome; in the Biblioteca of the Marquis Piero Bargagli of Rome; a copy of the terrestrial in the Museo Astronomico of Rome, a copy of the same in the Biblioteca n.a.z.ionale of Florence, and a copy in the Certosa of Pisa.

In one of his own publications issued in Venice in the year 1697 Coronelli tells us of an edition of his celestial globe which he was preparing.[101] He announces "To the Public" that the large celestial globe, three and one half feet in diameter, which he was then having reengraved and which would exhibit all of the artistic features of the Paris edition of 1693, would be one of superior excellence. He adds that the many corrections and additions, as the parts already completed clearly indicate, would make it one very exact, and its completion was promised before the end of the year 1698. This celestial globe was issued in Venice in the year 1699, edited, according to an inscribed legend, by Coronelli and the Academy of the Argonauts. We cannot with certainty locate a copy of this globe. Perhaps it may be found in one of the undated examples, now known, of the size designated.

The Abbot Gimma, to whom reference has been made, informs us that Coronelli constructed other globes, the same having diameters respectively six, four, and two inches, and in the 'Epitome Cosmografica' of the author, under the paragraph heading, "Opere stampate dal Padre Coronelli," we read that he constructed celestial and terrestrial globes three inches in diameter for the pocket. In Volume X of the 'Atlanta Veneto,' under the t.i.tle "Globi del Coronelli," the gores of these globes are reproduced, and from these reprints we are able to get certain information concerning them. But one pair of his six-inch globes has been located and none of the smaller size, this one pair being the unmounted gores, twelve in number for each globe, to be found in the British Museum. The terrestrial has the following dedication: "Hos Globos Terraqueum ac Coelestem dicat et donat R. mo P.

D. Sigismundo Pollitio a Placentia Praeposito Generali Monarchorum Ermitorum S. Hyeronimi Congreg. Lombardiae P. M. Coronelli Cosmographus P." "These globes, a terrestrial and a celestial P. M. Coronelli gives and dedicates to the Rev. P. D. Sigismund Pollitus head of the congregation of Hermit Monks of St. Jerome of Lombardy. At Placentia."

And the celestial has the following, "R. mo P. D. Sigismundo Pollitio Praep. Generali Mon. Erem. S. Hyeron." "To the Rev. P. D. Sigismund Pollitus. General of the Hermit Monks of St. Jerome." Three other inscriptions of the celestial globe read respectively "Auct. P.

Vincentius Coronelli Cosmog. Publ.," "Stellae supput. fuerunt ad annum 1700," and "Venetiis. In Academiae Cosmog. Argon."

Fiorini makes brief mention of a rather remarkable armillary sphere, cut out of a solid block of alabaster, now belonging to the Museo Civico of Siena.[102] It is neither signed nor dated, but was probably constructed toward the close of the seventeenth century.

It has two meridian circles, circles representing the tropics whose outer circ.u.mference is 66 cm., polar circles having a circ.u.mference of 21 cm., and circles representing the solst.i.tial colures and the equator, the latter having an outer circ.u.mference of 72 cm. All circles are graduated, but in the case of the polar circles the numbers of the degrees are not marked. In addition to the above-mentioned circles, there is one representing the zodiac which is exceedingly heavy, on which have been cut the signs of the several constellations and the names of the months.

This a.s.semblage of armillae is adjusted to revolve within a bra.s.s circle, the whole resting upon a base of alabaster. At the common center is a small ball mounted on a metallic rod which pa.s.ses through the poles of the circles. This small terrestrial sphere has a diameter of 8 cm., and around it are two small circles probably intended to represent the path of the moon and of the planet Mercury.

Word has been received of another armillary sphere of about 1700, though undated, constructed by Vitale Giordani (1633-1711), a mathematician of some note in his day. This sphere belongs to the Biblioteca Lancisiana of Rome, which, as noted above, possesses one by Barocci of the year 1570.[103]

The idea of constructing large ma.n.u.script globes, such as were those of Benci and of Moroncelli, was taken up by Giuseppe Scarabelli of Mirandola, who appears to have won special distinction in his day as an engineer.[104] Although the large globes, terrestrial and celestial, three braccia (ca. 200 cm.) in diameter, which he is known to have made, a.s.sisted by his son Ma.s.simo, cannot now be located, we are told that they were of such size and quality that their equal could not be found "in Milan, in Venice, or in Rome."

In what has been stated above concerning globe makers of Italy in the late seventeenth century and the early eighteenth, it has been noted that a number of those most prominent were members of some one or other of the many monastic orders. Benci and Moroncelli were of the Silvestrin Congregation; Coronelli was a Minorite, being honored with an election to the office of General of the Franciscan Order. It was in the late seventeenth century that Giovanni Battista da Ca.s.sine,[105] a Capuchin monk, began to achieve distinction as a map and globe maker, in particular, however, through the maps he drafted of the various provinces of his order which he described in his 'Descrizione cosmografica della Provincie e dei Conventi de FF: Min. Cappuccini di S.

Francesco.'[106] He was a native of Ca.s.sine in the district of Alessandria, and entered in early life into the Convent of the Immaculata Concezzione of Milan. He tells us, in his introduction to his work noted above, that he constructed two globes for the library of his convent in Milan, a terrestrial and a celestial, adding, "Quondam aedificabam, simul et delineabam pro Bibliotheca nostra Immacolatae Conceptionis duos satis grandes Globos nimirum coelestem unum, terrestrem alium." "I once designed and constructed for our library of the Immaculate Conception, two large globes, one a terrestrial, the other a celestial." We do not know the exact date of the construction of these globes, but it probably was near 1700.[107] It is further probable that these globes were examples of Italy's best productions within this field. They, however, cannot now be located, having disappeared at the time of the dissolution of the convent in the year 1810.

George Christopher Eimmart (1638-1705), a native of Ravensburg, was one of Germany's most famous mathematicians of the seventeenth century.[108]

He is reported to have been for some time a.s.sociated with Erhard Weigel in the University of Jena, where he won distinction for himself in his mathematical and law studies. It was about the year 1658, after the death of his father, that he became especially interested in the art of copper engraving, and in the year 1660 he established himself in this business in the city of Nurnberg. The study of mathematics, however, continued to interest him, and we soon find him giving especial attention to astronomical science, to the construction of astronomical instruments, such as quadrants, s.e.xtants, telescopes, astronomical clocks, and celestial spheres. In one of the fortifications of the city he erected a small observatory, in which he carried on his astronomical studies, evincing, as the months pa.s.sed, much interest in giving practical instruction to many of the young students of the city, among whom may be named Johannes Philipp Wurzelbauer, who later was enn.o.bled by Emperor Leopold on account of his scientific attainments, and who at the time of the reception of this honor changed his name to Wurzelbau.

Eimmart counted among his friends, with whom he was in constant communication, Leibnitz, Ca.s.sini, La Hire, Flamsteed, Hevel, and others.

His correspondence with these distinguished men of science, together with his numerous papers relating to his mathematical and astronomical studies, are still preserved in ma.n.u.script, filling no less than fifty-seven volumes.[109] In the year 1695 he published a description of an armillary sphere which he had constructed to represent the Copernican system, but this cannot now be located.[110] In the year 1705, the year of his death, he issued a pair of globes, an example of each being now kept in the Museo Astronomico of Rome. These spheres of papier-mache, each having a diameter of about 30 cm., are supplied each with a base of wood, consisting of four turned columns, which support a horizon circle of wood, on which are the usual engraved concentric circles bearing respectively the names of the princ.i.p.al directions or winds, the names of the zodiacal constellations, with their respective figures, the names of the princ.i.p.al festivals, and names of the saints. They are made to revolve within a graduated meridian circle which is adjusted to move within the horizon circle. The globe b.a.l.l.s are covered with engraved gore maps, each consisting of twelve sections cut at the equatorial line and in lat.i.tude 80 degrees, the polar areas being covered with a circular disc, having the necessary radius of ten degrees.

On the terrestrial globe we find the following author and date legend: "c.u.m geographica Orbis Terrarum descriptio secundum long. et lat. non nisi vel per peregrinationes marittimas vel observationes coelestes emendatior in dies prodeat, istud autem per experimenta propria (quo ad exiguam saltem partem) perfecisse, e' mille, vix uni contigat; Oportuit nos Recentiorum accuratissimis observationibus insistore et quatenus c.u.m veritate congruant vel discrepent exactiori tuo judicio relinquest. Nos eadem loca bona fide, nihil immutantes, prout ab auctoribus novissimis accepimus usui tuo exhibibemus. Norimbergae apud G. C. Eimmartum A?

Christi 1705." "Since the geographical description of the earth according to lat.i.tude and longitude, both by maritime voyages and by celestial observations becomes more accurate day by day, it happens to scarcely any one man to perfect (a globe) by his own observations for these can be partial only. Therefore it behooves us to make use of the most accurate modern observations. In so far as they agree with the truth or depart from it is left for you with your more exact judgment to decide. We, for our part, exhibit for your use the places in all good faith, as we have received them from the latest authorities and have changed nothing. Nurnberg. By G. C. Eimmart, 1705."

Meridians and parallels are represented at intervals of five degrees, the ecliptic and the equator being graduated. Compa.s.s roses are numerous, from which radiate numerous loxodromic lines. The several compa.s.s roses are located on the equator, and at lat.i.tude 35 degrees and 70 degrees both north and south, where these parallels are crossed by the prime meridian and the meridians of 90 degrees, of 180 degrees, and of 270 degrees.

In the southern hemisphere of the celestial globe is the following inscription: "Loca stellarum coelesti huic Globo insertarum a Jo.

Hevelio astronomo insigni ad ann. 1700 complet. sumo studio ac diuturnis vigiliis rest.i.tuta sunt; quae in hujusmodi Typum ad perpetuam Coeli conformitatem juxta modum quem Problema inferius adjectum praescribit noviter redacta a G. C. Eimmarto." "The position of the stars inscribed on this celestial globe were determined by J. Hevelius, renowned astronomer, and completed to the year 1700 through deep study and nightly vigils. And these observations on this globe are made perpetually to conform, according to the method which is described below, and these have been revised by G. C. Eimmart."

Attention is called to the stars of the various magnitudes up to the seventh by an appropriate ill.u.s.tration of each placed in a small but artistically designed wreath. Latin names are given to the several constellations and to a number of the individual stars, though one finds an occasional Arabic name. Among the several constellations one notes certain modern names such as "Scutum Subiescianum."

In addition to the pair referred to above, a copy of the celestial globe may be found in the Biblioteca Civico of Bergamo.

Joseph Moxon (1627-1700) (Fig. 116) was an English mathematician and hydrographer of great distinction.[111] His earliest business, dating from about 1655, was that of a maker and vender of mathematical instruments, but he later turned his attention toward the designing of letters and the making of printing types, achieving, for his work in this field, a very remarkable reputation. It was in his early years, when especially interested in making mathematical instruments in his shop in Russell Street, at "The Sign of the Atlas," that his thought was turned toward geography, astronomy, and navigation; at any rate, he published in the year 1657 an edition of Edward Wright's 'Certain errors in navigation detected and corrected.'[112] In 1659 he published in London the first edition of his important work which he called 'A Tutor to Astronomy and Geography, or an easie and speedy way to know the Use of both the Globes, Celestial and Terrestrial.' This work, frequently reissued during his lifetime, was followed at intervals by a number of publications chiefly relating to the art of printing.[113] As to the importance he attached to his own knowledge of globes, he states on the t.i.tle-page of his book on their uses that he explains therein "More fully and amply than hath yet been set forth, either by Gemma Frisius, Metius, Hues, Wright, Blaeu, or any others that have taught the Use of the Globes: and that so Plainly and Methodically, that the meanest Capacity may at first Reading apprehend it, and with a little Practice grow expert in these Divine Sciences." In his address "To the Reader,"

appearing as an introduction to this same work, he gives us further word not only concerning his own globes, but an interesting insight into what a globe maker of that time conceived as essential points to be noted when directing attention to his own special work. Though somewhat lengthy, it is here quoted as an interesting early statement. He observes in his introductory paragraph that he is writing not "to expert Pract.i.tioners but to Learners; to whom Examples may prove more Instructive than Precepts.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 116. Portrait of Joseph Moxon.]

"Besides," he states, "I hope to encourage those by an ample liberal plainness to fall in love with the Studies, that formerly have been disheartened by the Crabbed brevity of those Authors that have in Characters as it were rather writ Notes for their own Memories, than sufficient Doc.u.ments for their Readers Instructions.

"The Globes for which this Book is written are new Globes that I set forth, which as I told you in my Epistle to the Reader of Blaws Book differ somewhat from other Globes; and that both the Celestial and the Terrestrial; mine being the latest done of any, and to the accomplishing of which, I have not only had the help of all or most of the best of other Globes, Maps, Plates, and Sea-drafts of New discoveries that were then extant for the Terrestrial Globe, but also the Advice and directions of divers able Mathematicians both in England and Holland for Tables and Calculations both of Lines and Stars for the Celestial; upon which globe I have placed every Star that was observed by Tycho Brahe and other Observers, one degree of Longitude farther in the Ecliptick than they are on any other Globes: so that whereas on other Globes the places of the Stars were correspondent with their places in Heaven 69 Years ago, when Tycho observed them, and therefore according to his Rule want almost a degree of their true places in Heaven at this Time: I have set every Star one degree farther in the Ecliptick, and rectified them on the Globe according to the true place they had in Heaven in the Year 1671.

"On the Terrestrial Globe I have inserted all the New Discoveries that have been made, either by our own Forraign Navigators, and that bothe in the East, West, North, and South parts of the Earth. In the East Indies we have in the latter Times many s.p.a.cious places discovered, many Islands inserted, and generally the whole Draught of the Country rectified and amended, even to the Coast of China, j.a.pan, Giloli &c. In the South Sea between the East and West Indies are scattered many Islands, which for the uncertain knowledge former Times had of them are either wholly left out of other Globes, or else laid down so erroneously that little of credit can be attributed unto them. California is found to be an Island, though formerly supposed to be part of the main Continent, whose North-West sh.o.a.r was imagined to thrust itself forth close to the Coasts of Cathaio, and so make the supposed Straights of Anian. The Western Sh.o.a.rs of the West Indies are more accurately described than formerly, as you may see if you compare my Terrestrial Globe: that I have lately set forth with the Journals of the latest Navigators: And if you compare them with other Globes you will find 5, 6, yea 7 degrees difference in Longitude in most Places of these Coasts.

Magellanica which heretofore was thought to be part of the South Continent called Terra Incognita is now also found to be an Island. All that Tract of Land called Terra Incognita I have purposely omitted, because as yet we have no certainty whether it be Land or Sea; unless it be of some parts lately found out by the Dutch, who having a convenient Port at Batavia in Java, have from there sent forth Ships Southward, where they have found several very large countries; one whereof they have called Hollandia Nova, another Zelandia Nova, another Anthoni van Diemans Land; and divers others; some whereof lie near our Antipodes; as you may see by my terrestrial Globes. Again, Far to the Northwards there are some New Discoveries, even within six degrees of the Pole: The Drafts to the North Eastwards I have laid down even as they were described by the Searchers of those parts for a pa.s.sage into the East Indies. And also the Discoveries of Baffin, Captain James, and Capt. Fox (our own Country-men) that attempted the finding a pa.s.sage that way into the South Sea.

"I also told you what difference there is in several Authors about placing the first Meridian, which is the beginning of Longitude; that Ptolemy placed it at the Fortunate Islands, which Mr. Hues pag. 4. chap.

1. in his Treatise of Globes proves to be the Islands of Cabo Verde, and not those now called the Canary Islands; because in his Time they were the farthest place of the Discovered World towards the setting of the Sun; Others placed it at Pico in Teneriffa; Others at Corvus and Flora; because under that Meridian the Compa.s.s had no Variation, but did then duly respect the North and South; Others for the same Reason begin their Longitude at St. Michaels; and Others between the Islands of Flores and Fayal: And the Spaniards of late by reason of their great Negotiation in the West Indies, have begun their Longitude at Toledo there, and contrary to all others account it Westwards.

"Therefore I, seeing such diversity among all Nations, and as yet an Uniformity at home, chose with our own Country-men to place my First Meridian at the Ile Gratiosa, one of the Iles of Azores.

"By the different placing of this first Meridian it comes to pa.s.s that the Longitude of Places are diversely set down in different Tables; For those Globes or Maps that have their first Meridian placed to the Eastwards of Gratiosa, have all places counted Eastwards from the Meridian of Gratiosa, and their first Meridian in a greater number of degrees of Longitude, and that according as the Arch of Difference is."

At the conclusion of this work we find printed a catalogue of his books, maps, and instruments, including globes celestial and terrestrial of all sizes, and, what is of considerable interest and value, the price of each given.[114]

We know that the Chinese, very many centuries ago, manifested a considerable interest in astronomy; nor was there wanting with them an interest in geography. It was, however, especially in the former science they may be said to have made contributions of real value. An unreliable record, telling us of the interest exhibited by the Emperor Shun, reigning more than two thousand years before the beginning of the Christian era, notes that he made use of an armillary sphere in his study of the stars. Little is there to a.s.sure us that prior to the time of Kublai Kaan (1216-1294) there were those who turned their attention to the construction of globes. That great Mongol Emperor's astronomer Ko-Shun-King, having demonstrated the superiority of his astronomical wisdom, was directed to inst.i.tute reforms in Chinese chronology and to construct for purposes of scientific investigations such instruments as he thought to be necessary. Accordingly he removed from the old observatory "an armillary sphere dating from 1049," subst.i.tuting in its place a number of large and small instruments, two of which have survived to our day--an armillary sphere and a celestial globe, which may be said to date from about the year 1274. These instruments of the astronomer Ko-Shun-King had place in an observatory which he had erected on the site of an ancient structure at the southeast corner of the Tartar city wall, being raised above the parapet. There they remained until the year 1673 when the Jesuit astronomer Father Ferdinand Verbiest judged them to be useless and persuaded the Emperor to pull them down and put up new ones of his own contriving.[115] The old instruments were stored away at the foot of the terrace, and of these, as before noted, but two now remain.

Le Comte refers to the celestial globe as one well cast, and having a diameter of about three feet, the degrees and minutes being marked both "longitudinally and lat.i.tudinally." An early description tells us that its equator is in the center, equidistant from the two poles, in each case a quarter of a circ.u.mference. The ecliptic is elevated above and depressed below the equator, in each case barely twenty-four degrees.

The elevations and depressions of the moon in its...o...b..t being variable, a bamboo hoop, divided into degrees equally throughout, is used to verify the intersections with the ecliptic and accordingly is moved from time to time. The globe rests on a square box, the north and south poles being respectively above and below the surface fully forty degrees, half of the globe being visible and half concealed. Toothed wheels, set in motion by machinery concealed within the box, are so adjusted as to cause the globe to revolve.

The armillary sphere (Fig. 117) stands at the east end of the court. It is an instrument of huge dimensions being described in early records somewhat as follows, in each reference there being allusion to its beautiful workmanship, and to its design as possessing remarkable excellence. The supporting base of the piece has a mythological significance. The four dragons, which play such a part in the Chinese geomancy, are here represented as chained to the earth, while upholding the spheres. Its substantial horizon circle, crossed at right angles by a double ring representing an azimuth circle, forms the outer supporting framework. The upper surface of the horizon circle is divided into twelve equal parts, marked by the several Chinese cyclical characters applied to the twelve hours into which the day and night was divided.

Around the outside of this horizon circle these twelve characters appear again, with the Chinese names for the several points of the compa.s.s. On the inside of this circle one finds the names of the twelve States into which the ancient Empire was divided, each State being thought of as under the influence of a particular quarter of the heavens.