GILBERT'S PHILOSOPHY. 271 



of these poles is due to a creative act whereby forces prim- 

 arily animate were implanted in the globe in order that it 

 might steadfastly take direction (in space), and in order 

 that the poles might be opposite, so as to serve as the ex- 

 tremities of an axis on which the earth turns. The direc- 

 tion in space is such that the North pole of the earth 

 constantly regards the Pole star ; so that, if that pole were 

 turned aside from this steadfast position it would go back 

 thereto. 



It will be apparent that this doctrine rests upon the con- 

 clusion that the earth itself is a freely movable magnet, 

 having poles and amenable to the same laws as the compass 

 needle. How this was reached will soon be shown. 



Thus far Gilbert's theory is not difficult to follow; but 

 when he comes to explain, not conditions under which an 

 asserted rotation of the earth on its axis might take place, 

 but how such rotation, through magnetic means, actually 

 does take place, difficulties arise. Obviously any tendency 

 of the earth's axis to return to normal position when di- 

 verted therefrom cannot account for the revolution of the 

 globe itself. But, says Gilbert, the whole earth regards the 

 Pole star, and similarly, each true part of the earth seeks a 

 like place in the world (universe) and turns with a circular 

 motion to that position. The natural movements of the 

 whole and of the parts are alike; hence, since the parts 

 move in a circle, the whole has circular motion, and hence 

 the whole earth is adapted to such movement. 



This is not only inconclusive, but, on prima facie 

 showing, appears to be nothing more than the theory 

 of Peregrinus (that the magnet is directed, not solely 

 by the poles of the heavens acting upon the poles of 

 the stone, but by all parts of the heavens acting upon 

 all parts of the stone) which Gilbert has applied to his 

 huge magnet, the earth. But so to assume would be to 

 involve Gilbert in the fatal inconsistency of both denying 

 and affirming the existence of a rotary heaven ; for, ac- 

 cording to Peregrinus' doctrine, unless such be present, 



