(873)
if this had been well observed, there had been no need of Controverting, Whether the Horizontall Projection had been a New Invention: It is as Ancient as Ptolomy, and all the 4 Quadrants of several contrivances published by Mr. John Collins* * Those Quadrants, printed, may very conveniently be pasted on Copper-Plates, and varnisht; which done, they will be not only very cheap and portable (to be had at John Marks at the Sign of the Golden Bail near Somerset-House) but also serviceable enough, being preserv'd by the Varnish from the accidental injuries of Ink and Dirt; and for these very causes made publick, serving for an Example to introduce the like way for other Mathematical Instruments. are derived from the Western side, or the continuance thereof, admitting but a meer Mutation of the Names of Circles, and a projecting of more Parallels.
4. Of Catoptricks 3 Books; in the First of which the Author treats of Catoptricks or Reflection.
In the Second, of the affections of Plain Glasses simply, or of many focii, placed either in a Parallel or Inclined Position to each other.
In the Third, of Curved Glasses, and therein first the chief affections of Convex Sphærick Glasses; afterwards of Concave Sphærick-Glasses: lastly of Burning Glasses of several kinds.
The death of the Author prevented him from Writing of the Dioptricks which was very far advanced by Des Chartes and hath been further promoted since by De Beaune, Honorato Fabri, Manzini, and in the Century of Optick Problems of Eschinardus and we may hope that erelong the learned Mr. Barrow will enrich the World with his Labours of this and other kinds; also Mr. James Gregorie, the Author of Optica Promota, hath a Treatise of this Subject in good forwardness for the Press.
S. Follows the Authors Treatise of Military Architecture or Fortification; in which he hath collected six several ways of Regular Fortification, and hath likewise divers-ways for Irregular ones, when the Scituation of the place so requires; and intersperseth divers questions, and relates some Transactions in the late eminent Sieges of Christendome.
6. Follow his Annularia & Cylindrica; the first 4 Books, whereof were first publisht in 1651, and are common enough to he had here; which may make the Reader wonder at their being reprinted; especially considering, that though they have deservedly received much applause, yet they have likewise been censur'd for opposing and neglecting other Methods, whereby the Author might have rendred, what he delivers, more universally and briefly. Concerning the first 4 Books, Ant. Lalovera in his Book de Geometr. veterum promota thus:
Sero venerunt in manus nostras R. P. Tacqueti lib. 4. Cylindricorum & Annularium: Opus censemus absolutissimum, ejusq; Authori, qui primus hæc de re suas lucubrationes vulgavit, istam coronam debitam esse agnoscimus.
And Stephen Angeli in his Treatise de Infinitis Parabolis, deque Infinitis Solidis, &c. (printed at Venice 1659.) in the Preface begins thus;
