might alfo be done, by letting of the Secants every whole 
or half degree, if there were not this Ineonvenfency in it (which 
is not in my Rule : ) That a Line compofed of fo many fmall 
parts, would be fubje€t to many errours, efpecially in a fmall 
eompafs. 
The fame Rule alfo will ferve*to find the Courfe and Diftance 
between two Places affigned, as far* as practice fhall require it • 
and that, without any Table of Meridional parts, and yet with 
as much eafe and exadtnefs. 
And feeing all thefe things do depend on the folution of this 
Qoeftion, Whether the Artificial Tangent-line he the true Meridian- 
line f It is therefore, that I undertake, by God’s affiftance, to 
refolve the (aid Queftion. And to let the world know the readi- 
nefs and confidence, I have to make good this undertaking* I 
am willing to lay a Wager againft any one or more perfons that 
have a mind to engage , for fo much as another Invention of mine 
( which is of lefs fubtlety, but of far greater benefit to the pub- 
lick ) may be worth to the Inventor, 
For, the great advantage* that all Merchants, Marriners, and 
consequently the Common- wealth, may receive from this other 
Invention , is, in my judgment, highly valuable 5 feeing it will 
oftentimes make a (hip fade, though, according to the common 
way of failing, the wind be quite contrary, and yet as near to 
the place intended, as if the wind had been favourable: Or, if 
you will, it will enable one to gain fomethinginthe intended 
way, whether the wind be good or no ( except onely when you 
go diredtly South or North*) but the advantage will be moft, 
where there is moft need ofit,that is, when the Wind is contrary; 
So that one may very often gain a fifth, fourth, third part, or 
more of the intended voyage ; according as it is longer or flior- 
ter * vi%. always more in a longer Voyage, where the gain is 
more confiderable, and more welcome; not only by laving 
Time, but alfo V'idaa!s,^atef,Fuel,Me : ns health* and fo much 
Room in the (hip. 
All this, which is here pretended* the Fropofer is to make 
good by the Verdidfc of fome Able Men, who alfo may give a 
guefs, what this latter Invention may be worth to the owner; 
And for fo much, and no more, he will ftand engaged againft a- 
Gga ' ny 
