PROOFS THAT THE EARTH IS ROUND. 



CHAP. ii. That the Heaven is round on all parts, mooving 

 in his course of it self. 



But comming to our subiect, there is no doubt but the 

 opinion which Aristotle and the other Peripateticks held with 

 the Stoicks (that the figure of Heaven was round, and did 

 moove circularly in his course), is so perfectly true, as we 

 which doe now live in Peru see it visibly. Wherin expe 

 rience should be of more force then all Philosophicall de 

 monstrations, being sufficient to proove that the Heaven is 

 round, and comprehends and contaynes the earth within it 

 of al parts. And to cleere any doubt that might grow, it 

 sufficeth that I have seene in this our Hemisphere that part 

 of Heaven which turnes about this earth, the which was vn- 

 knowne to the Ancients ; and have observed the two Poles 

 whereon the Heavens turne, as vpon their Axeltrees. I say, 

 the Articke, or North Pole, which those of Europe beholde, 

 and the other Antarticke, or Southerne Pole (whereof saint 

 d&amp;lt;TcnS &quot; Augustine is in doubt), the which we change and take for 

 ad lit., cap. t j ie N^h h ere at p evU) having passed the Equinoctiall line. 

 Finally, it sufficeth that I have sayled neere 70 degrees from 

 North to South, that is, forty of the one side of the line and 

 23 on the other, omitting at this present the testimony of 

 others which have sayled much farther then my selfe, and 

 in a greater height, comming neere 70 degrees towards the 

 South. Who will not confesse but the ship called the Vic- 

 torie 1 (worthie doubtlesse of eternall memorie) hath wonne 

 the honor and praise to have best discovered and compassed 

 the round earth, yea, that great Chaos and infinite Vast 

 which the ancient Philosophers affirmed to bee vnder the 



1 Magellan s ship, which is represented on the covers of the volumes 

 of the Ilakluyt Society. See an account of her at page 16 (note) of 

 vol. i of my translation of the first part of the Royal Commentaries of 

 the Yncas, by the Ynca Garcilasso de la Vega. (Hakluyt Society s 

 volume for 1809.) 



