FABLE OF CUPID. 81 



tended or compressed, and that in a greater degree accords 

 with the body itself, as if the stretched cloth be warmed at 

 the fire, it will not in any way make up for the thing, or 

 extinguish the impetus of recovery. We have then made 

 it plain that the influence of changing site does not depend, 

 in a remarkable degree, upon heat and cold, when yet this 

 is that very influence which assigns the greatest power to 

 these principles. Those two influences follow which are 

 universally recognised, through which bodies seek masses 

 or greater congregations of things connatural with them, in 

 observing of which, as of other subjects, men either trifle 

 or err. For the vulgar school thinks it sufficient to have 

 distinguished the natural from the forced motion, and to 

 give out that heavy bodies are, by a natural motion, borne 

 downward; light, upward. But these speculations are of 

 very little help to philosophy. For their &quot; nature,&quot; &quot; art,&quot; 

 &quot; force,&quot; are only terms of terms and trifles. They should 

 refer this motion not only to nature, but should seek in this 

 very motion the particular and proper bias and inclination, 

 of the natural body. For there are many other natural 

 motions, according to very different passive natures of 

 things from these. The subject therefore is to be laid down 

 according to these differences. Nay those very motions 

 which they call violent, are more truly natural than that 

 which they call natural ; if that be more according to 

 nature which is more powerful, or even which is more of 

 a universal kind. For that motion of ascent and descent 

 is not very potent, nor even universal, but as it were pro 

 vincial, and for certain regions, and even yielding and sub 

 jected to other motions. Their saying that heavy bodies 

 are borne downward, light, upward, is no more than saying 

 that heavy are heavy, light, light bodies. For what is so 

 predicated is assumed from the very force of the term in 

 the subject. But if by heavy they mean dense, by light, 

 rare, they do not advance the subject, only they lead it 

 back rather to the adjunct and concomitant, than to the 

 cause. But they who so explain the bias of heavy bodies 

 as to assert that they are borne to the earth s centre, and 

 light to the circumference and circuit of heaven, as to their 

 proper destinations, certainly advance something, and hint 

 at a cause, but yet with much inconsideration. For places 

 are not influences, nor is a body affected but by a body, 

 and every incitation of a body which seems to be seat 

 itself, affects and endeavours a configuration toward another 

 body, not collocation or simple site. A. T. R. 



VOL. xv. G 



