Mosaic Philosophy

SECTION 1, BOOK I.

...rises above 1: For we must consider that the scale from degree 1 up to the higher 7 belongs to the winter hemisphere; and consequently, this space signifies the degree of the multiplication of cold. Thus, if the water reaches mark 2, it is proof that cold exceeds heat in the air by a single degree. If it reaches 3, by two degrees. If it reaches 4 or 5, it indicates frost; at 6, heavy ice; at 7, the ice in this city of London is so great and hard that men and carriages are accustomed to cross over the River Thames. The author refers to the "Great Frosts" of London, such as those in the early 17th century when the Thames froze solid enough to host "Frost Fairs."

Conversely, if the water sinks from 1 to 2, it belongs to the lower order or summer hemisphere: this indicates the first degree of the dominion of heat over cold. If it descends to 3 or 4, it demonstrates a greater heat in the air. If the water falls as far as 5 or 6, it declares the air to be exceedingly hot. But if the water is pushed down to the lowest figure, 7, it indicates extreme and intense heat in the air, such that lightning and thunder are produced because of it.

By these things, one may see how great a relationship exists between the external or universal air—that spiritual element beneath the moon—and the air enclosed within this instrumental glass. Concerning these matters, more will be said in the following chapter.

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CHAPTER V:

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But before I proceed with a further comparison between the spirit In this context, "spirit" refers to the subtle, active air or gas inside the glass, which the author believes shares a "soul" with the atmosphere of the Earth. contained in this little model or machine of ours, and the properties of the agents and patients within it compared to those of the great world; it is necessary that I first answer a certain doubt or objection that may be raised. Indeed, unless this is removed and resolved, such a relationship or comparison might seem inept or entirely impossible to the ignorant.

I know, therefore, that many will object that no suitable comparison can be made between our small artificial machine and that natural fabric or organ of the world. Their reason is that the spirit in our glass is closed in everywhere, or strictly confined to its vessel, and therefore the air is forced to move according to the form or figure of the glass. But they say the matter is far different with that spirit which occupies the vast cavity of the world, in which the air or spirit is observed to move freely hither and thither by any impulse, just as we are taught by the daily observation of smoke and the winds from every quarter of the world.

To this I respond: the principle of motion and relationship is the very same in a thick or dense nature as in a thinner one, and likewise from a thinner or rarer nature to a thick and dense one, within a small subject as in a larger one—provided that similar proportions are maintained, and that they are in equal weight and proportional measure of heat and cold. Indeed, I boldly affirm that the whole world is as completely filled with spirit or air as our experimental vessel is. For if it were not, it would follow as a consequence that a vacuum would be admitted into the nature of things, which any Philosopher would believe to be an absurdity.

Therefore, I boldly conclude that the spirit contained in the cavity of this instrument (considering

its size) is proportioned in quantity, measure, and weight to that of the greater world. For experience testifies that in every part of the year, heat and cold have proportional dominion both in the spirit of the glass and in the worldly air, and they are accustomed to produce the same effects in both—specifically in the rarefaction (thinning) and condensation (thickening) of the air, as was declared previously.

For the more that heat abounds in the worldly air, the more the water is depressed in the neck of the instrument, and consequently, the air enclosed in said neck is dilated and rarefied. Conversely, the more the inclemency of cold flourishes in the external air, the more the water is raised into the tube of the instrument. By these facts, it is evident that the aforementioned doubt or scruple is entirely removed.

In this respect, therefore, I would have every learned and consistent reader understand that when he looks upon the nature or condition of this instrument, he can indeed observe the action of the rarefaction and condensation of a certain lesser world (a microcosm), which in every way is seen to agree and correspond with the greater world. This is because it has its own hemispheres, both Northern and Southern, which are distinguished from one another by the line passing through mark 1, no differently than those in the greater world are divided by the equinoctial line (the equator).

It also appears to have two tropics with their poles; we consider the southern pole or hemisphere to be the "hot" one relative to us, because the breathing of the Sun proceeds from it, which is situated to the south of us. And for that reason, we call this pole or hemisphere the "summer" one, just as we call the one in the opposite region "winter." And we have demonstrated that degree 1 in the tube of the instrument...