level'd on the top of a Tower, and shots were made therewith point blank, that is, paralel to the Horizon, let the Piece have a greater or less charge, so as that the ball may fall sometimes a thousand yards distant, sometimes four thousand, sometimes six, sometimes ten, &c. and all these shots shall curry or finish their ranges in times equal to each other, and every one equal to the time which the ball would take to pass from the mouth of the Piece to the ground, being left, without other impulse, to fall simply downwards in a perpendicular line. Now it seems a very admirable thing, that in the same short time of its falling perpendicularly down to the ground, from the height of, suppose, an hundred yards, the same ball, being thrust violently out of the Piece by the Fire, should be able to pass one while four hundred, another while a thousand, another while four, another while ten thousand yards, so as that the said ball in all shots made point blank, always continueth an equal time in the air.
Salv.The consideration for its novelty is very pretty, and if the effect be true, very admirable: and of the truth thereof, I make no question: and were it not for the accidental impediment of the air, I verily believe, that, if at the time of the balls going out of the Piece, another were let fall from the same height directly downwards, they would both come to the ground at the same instant, though that should have curried ten thousand miles in its range, and this but an hundred onely: presupposing the surface of the Earth to be equal, which to be assured of, the experiment may be made upon some lake. As for the impediment which might come from the air, it would consist in retarding the extreme swift motion of the shot. Now, if you think fit, we will proceed to the solution of the other Objections, seeing that Simplicius (as far as I can see) is convinc'd of the nullity of this first, taken from things falling from on high downwards.
Simpl.I find not all my scruples removed, but it may be the fault is my own, as not being of so easie and quick an apprehension as Sagredus. And it seems to me, that if this motion, of which the stone did partake whilst it was on the Round-top of the Ships Mast, be, as you say, to conserve it self indelibly in the said stone, even after it is separated from the Ship, it would follow, that likewise in case any one, riding a horse that was upon his speed, should let a bowl drop out of his hand, that bowl being fallen to the ground would continue its motion and follow the horses steps, without tarrying behind him: the which effect, I believe, is not to be seen, unless when he that is upon the horse should throw it with violence that way towards which he runneth; but otherwise, I believe it will stay on the ground in the same place where it fell.
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