402 NATURAL HISTORY. 



you will, into it ; then go so far from the bason, till 

 you cannot see the angel, because it is not in a right 

 line ; then fill the bason with water, and you shall see 

 it out of its place, because of the reflexion. To pro 

 ceed therefore, put a looking glass into a bason of 

 water ; I suppose you shall not see the image in a 

 right line, or at equal angles, but aside. I know not 

 whether this experiment may not be extended so, as 

 you might see the image, and not the glass ; which 

 for beauty and strangeness were a fine proof: for then 

 you should see the image like a spirit in the air. As 

 for example, if there be a cistern or pool of water, 

 you shall place over against it a picture of the devil, 

 or what you will, so as you do not see the water. 

 Then put a looking-glass in the water : now if you 

 can see the devil s picture aside, not seeing the water, 

 it would look like a devil indeed. They have an old 

 tale in Oxford, that Friar Bacon walked between 

 two steeples : which was thought to be done by 

 glasses, when he walked upon the ground. 



Experiments in consort touching impulsion and per 

 cussion. 



763. A weighty body put into motion is more 

 easily impelled than at first when it resteth. The 

 cause is partly because motion doth discuss the torpor 

 of solid bodies ; which, beside their motion of gravity, 

 have in them a natural appetite not to move at all ; 

 and partly, because a body that resteth, doth get, by 

 the resistance of the body upon which it resteth, a 

 stronger compression of parts than it hath of itself: 



