44 LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 



of this my request unto you myselfc, which, if it might have 

 beene, I should then have moved some other questions, viz. 

 whether it is probable that the variation can be in any place 

 of the world 180 degrees, or the north point of the needle 

 stand directly to the south. Allso whether a shippe sailing 

 right east or west by the compasse, keepes upon a parallel!, 

 as the common received opinion amongst maryners is, which 

 I thinke not, because the east and west of the compasse is a 

 tangent to the parallell, but how little soever it so continues 

 in sailing, it is a portion or arch of the great circle of the east 

 and west, and therefore (I conceive) cannot but decline from 

 the parallell. But ceasing to trouble you with these manner 

 of questions, I crave perdon for this my boldnes, resting 



Att your command, 



JOHN RUDSTON*. 



To his very goodfrend, Mr. Haryott in 

 Black-fry ars, be these delivered. 



THOMAS AYLESBURIE TO THOMAS HARRIOT. 



[MS. Addit. 6789. Orig.] 



Newniarkett, January 19th, 1618-9. 



Sir, Though I have bene yet soe little a while att New- 

 markett, that I have not any thing of moment to ymport, yet 

 I thinke it not amisse to write a bare salutations, and let you 

 know, that in theise wearie journeys I am oftentimes com- 

 forted with the remembrance of your kind love and paynes 

 bestowed on your loytering scholar, whose little credit in the 

 way of learning is aUwaies underpropped with the name of 

 soe worthie a maister. The comet being spent, the talke of 

 it still runnes current here. The King's Majesty before my 

 comming spake with one of Cambridg called Olarentia (a 

 name able to beget beleefe of some extraordinarie qualities), 

 but what satisfaction he gave I cannot yet learne ; here are 

 papers out of Spayne about it, yea and from Roome, which I 

 will endeavour to gett, and meane that you shall partake of 

 the newes as tyme. 



Cura ut valeas et me ames, who am ever trulie and unfayn- 

 edly yours att command, 



THOMAS AYLESBURIE. 



To my right woor t hie f rend, Mr. Thomas 

 Harriot, att Syon, theise. 



* An astronomical treatise by John Rudston on the " great conjunction of Ju- 

 piter and Saturn" in 1023, is preserved in MS. Harl. 5211. 



