24.2 A TREATISE 



?T ... .. . -. .. - _... i 



But -let us fuppofe there were no fuch genera/1 interruptions, 

 every where encountring, and diiiurbingthe conveyance of the 

 firft fimple motion : yet. how can we conceive that a pufl^givcn 

 fo forre offy'nfo liquid an element., can Continue its force fo 

 farre ? We fee that the-greateft thunders and conculfions, which 

 at any time happen among us , cannot drive and impart their 

 rnpulfe the ten thoulandtn part of the vaft diftance, which the 

 Sunne is removed from our eye; and can we imagine., that a lit- 

 tle touch of that luminous body, fliould make an imprdfion 

 upon us , by moving another ib extremely liquid and fubtile, 

 as the Ether is luppoied; which like an immenfe Ocean , tofTed 

 with all varieties of motion , lyeth between it and us ? 



But admit there were no diiHculty nor repugnance ia the 

 medium,to convey unto us a ftroke, made upon it by the fannes 

 motion : let us at the le'aft examine, what kinde ofmotions wee 

 murt allow in t he funne, to caufe this effect. Certainely^it muft 

 needs be a motion towards u?, or elle it cannot (trike and drive 

 the medium forward, to make it ftrike upon us. And if it be fb, 

 either the fiinne mutt perpetually be comming neerer and neer- 

 er to us ; or elle it mult ever and anone be receding backwards, 

 as well as moving forwards. Both which, are too chymericall 

 for Ib great a wit to conceit. 



Now, if the Ether be brittle, it muft needs reflecT: upon every 

 rubbe it meeteth with in its way, and muft be broken and flii- 

 vered by every body that moveth acrofle it: and therefore,muft 

 aJvvayes make an uncertaine and moft diforderly pereuflfion up- 

 on the eye. 



Then againej after it is arrived co the ienfe, it is no waycs 

 likely it fliould he conveyed from thence to thebraine , or that 

 nature ir tended fuch a kind of inrtrument as a nerve, to con- 

 tinue a precife determinate motion : for if you confider hovy a 

 lute ftring, or any other fuch medium conveveth a motion 

 made in it; you will finde,that to doe it well and clearly,it muft 

 be ftretchcd throughout to its full extent, with a kinde of ftiff- 

 ncfle : whereas our nerves are not ftraight , but lie crooked^ in 

 ur body ,-and are very lfther,till upon occafion fpirits comming 

 into them a doe fvvell them out. Eefides,they are bound to fle/h, 

 and to other parts ofthe body; which being cefliblc, muft needs 

 dullthitroakc ; andnotpCttnit ii to (ft ' -carried ftnc, And 



