Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2 / Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy

by Edward Luther Stevenson

Globes of the Second Half of the Seventeenth Century

Certain striking tendencies exhibited in the matter of globe making in this period.—The Gottorp globes.—Weigel’s globes.—Carlo Benci.—Amantius Moroncelli.—Castlemaine’s immovable globe.—The armillary of Treffler.—Armillary sphere of Gian Battista Alberti.—The numerous globes of P. Vincenzo Coronelli.—Certain anonymous globes of the period.—Joannes Maccarius.—Jos. Antonius Volpes.—Vitale Giordani.—George Christopher Eimmart.—Giuseppe Scarabelli.—Giovanni Battista.—Joseph Moxon.—The Chinese globes of Peking.

AMONG the globes constructed in the second half of the seventeenth century there were none which surpassed in scientific value, if indeed any equaled, those sent out from the workshops of the Netherland masters in the first half. The work of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, the Venetian monk, crowns the period. His abilities were of a high order, and entitle him to a place among the world’s great map and globe makers, but the traces of his influence seem not to be so pronounced as were those of his immediate northern predecessors.

The period was one which lent encouragement to some extravagance in globe making. The earliest of those constructed in the post-Columbian years, as has been noted, were of small size, but before the close of the sixteenth century we occasionally find one of large dimensions, as, for example, that of the great Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe. Blaeu’s globes of the year 1622 were thought to be of extraordinary size, but the half century here under consideration furnishes us with examples of globes having gigantic proportions, globes such, for example, as would have pleased the Greek geographer, Strabo,[61] who thought that one to be of value should have a diameter of at least ten feet. The Gottorp globe, the globes of Weigel, the Coronelli globes constructed for Louis XIV, were not such as would lend themselves to easy duplication, certainly not as to size, ranging as they did from about nine to fifteen feet. Of real value they possessed but little. They were interesting mechanical curiosities, representing a tendency in globe construction which might be referred to as the ultrapractical. In the following century we find the opposite extreme exemplified in what were known as pocket globes.

The so-called Gottorp globe, constructed in the years 1654-1664, at the instance of Duke Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, we may refer to as the first one of importance of the period, as it was one of the largest, being, however, rather an object[62] of interest by reason of its peculiar construction, than one of great scientific importance for the study of astronomy and geography. This globe, about eleven feet in diameter, was prepared by Andreas Busch of Limberg under the direction of Adam Oelschläger (Olearius)[63] (1599-1671), Duke Frederick’s librarian and court mathematician. The world map on the outer surface of the sphere included a record of the recent discoveries according to the most reliable sources of information. It was furnished with a brass meridian circle, and within this it was so adjusted as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours. The pole elevation could not be altered, it being permanently set for the latitude of Gottorp, that is, for latitude 54° 30′. Its horizon circle was broad, and served as a platform upon which an observer might walk, he being thus enabled to examine the terrestrial map to the best advantage. A door was provided which could be opened and closed, permitting not less than twelve persons to enter the sphere at one time. On its inner surface was represented the entire expanse of the sky with the several constellations properly located, having their figures carefully outlined; the several stars being placed according to calculation for the year 1700, and each star was gilded that it might the more easily be seen. From the inner axis was suspended a circular gallery or platform from which the machine could be set in motion, and from which, as representing the horizon, one might observe the rising and the setting of the stars. The whole interior was lighted by two small lamps. At the center of the sphere, the inner surface of which, as stated above, represented the starry heavens, was placed a small ball, about 15 cm. in diameter, representing the earth. The great globe, driven by water power, was therefore made to appear to revolve around this central terrestrial globe. A representation of the sun, made of glass, had its own proper motion along the circle of the ecliptic, and a representation of the moon likewise was made to move in its own proper course. This globe, in the year 1713, was presented by the grandson of Duke Frederick to Czar Peter the Great of Russia.

A note in the Royal Geographical Journal refers to this as a seventeenth-century globe, adding in substance that the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences has lately installed at Tsarskoe Selo this large globe, weighing some three and one half tons, constructed in the seventeenth century for Duke Frederick of Holstein, under the superintendence of Olearius, the astronomer and traveler. On its completion it was placed in the castle of Gottorp, from which fact it became known as the Gottorp globe. It was presented to the Academy in the year 1725 and up to the present has remained in the Zoölogical Museum.[64]

Fig. 104. The Gottorp Armillary Sphere, 1657.

Information has been kindly given by the director of the National Museum of Copenhagen that an exceedingly fine armillary sphere (Fig. [104]) may be found in the Museum of National History in the Friedricksborg Castle. From the catalogue of this institution we learn that it was constructed in the year 1657 by Andreas Busch, under the guidance of Adam Olearius, for Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp. As will be noted from the illustration it is an elaborately constructed piece of mechanism. What we may term the globe proper is composed of six great circles on which are the fixed constellations, having the several stars represented in silver. Through the mechanism passes a steel bar which carries a ball of brass representing the sun, which is at the center of the complicated system of circles. Around the sun are six circles of brass representing the orbits of the planets each carrying a small silver angel. That part of the mechanism which represents the equator and the zodiac is calculated to make one revolution in 25,000 years. In the base of the globe has been placed the clockwork by which the several movements of circles and planets are effected, and time is told by the striking of hours and quarters. Topping the piece is a small armillary sphere representing the Ptolemaic system.

We are likewise informed that in the National Museum’s collections may be found a celestial globe which is attributed to Petrus Theodorus. It is of gilded brass, having a diameter of 24 cm., and while undated presumably is of the last quarter of the seventeenth century. The globe ball is supported by a bronze figure of Atlas, the whole standing 86 cm. in height. Tycho Brahe is the accredited authority for the representation of the several fixed stars.

Erhard Weigel (1625-1699)[65] has place among the globe makers of the period as one who sought to reform, and, in some measure, to popularize both astronomical and geographical science, particularly the former, applying his own inventive ability to that end in the matter of globe construction. In this he appears to have been rather more ingenious than practical. He seems to have achieved special distinction in his day as theologian, philosopher, astrologer, and mathematician.

Weigel was a native of the Rhenish Palatinate. Under many difficulties, on account of the poverty of the family, he acquired the necessary educational training for admission into the University of Halle. Here he soon found himself in favor with Professor Bartholemeus Schimpfer,[66] who was counted one of the leading astrologers of the time. In addition to the youthful student’s general duties as secretary to the professor, there was assigned to him the task of calendar making. This was a task which especially appealed to him, and he soon had a following, as a tutor, among those students who like himself found the astrological science one of absorbing interest. Led by the fact that students from the University of Leipzig came to him for instruction, he transferred his residence from Halle to this University, thinking thereby to improve his opportunities for mathematical studies. Here he continued his astrological work, not so much, it appears, because of a genuine belief in the practical value of the science, as such; the rather because he found in its pursuit a good source of income.[67] His theological bent soon led him to a conclusion that the science of astrology rested upon a very unsubstantial foundation. “If God be the creator and supporter of the universe, what an insignificant part,” thought he, “can the stars play in determining the destiny of the individual.”

In the year 1654 he became a professor of mathematics in the University of Jena and sprang immediately into favor as a lecturer.[68] Naturalism, as heralded in his day, appealed to him and he became an outspoken opponent of the Latinists and of the Scholastics. When his knowledge of mathematics failed him he was inclined to resort to theology as a subject furnishing endless themes and illustrative material. From his early belief in astrology he turned to astronomy, but he remained a visionary, making some contribution to the science but none of lasting value. He appears to have been particularly distressed over the heathen names of the several constellations and the figures which so long had been employed to represent them, regarding such representations as sacrilegious and wholly unworthy the great inventive genius of man. All this he wished to have swept from the heavens, proposing to substitute for the same the coats of arms of the ruling houses of Europe.[69] For Ursa Major he proposed the name Elephas with the figure of the Danish elephant, for Orion the name Aquila biceps and the Austrian double eagle, for Hercules the name Eques cum districto gladio and the insignia of Poland, for Leo the name tria Castella cum Aureo Vellere and the insignia of Spain, for Erichthonius the name Lilia tria and the insignia of France, for Lyra the name Citharae and the insignia of Britain, running thus through the entire list. In assigning his new names to the constellations he endeavored, in so far as possible, to assign them to such relative position in the heavens as the respective countries or houses occupied on earth.

In one of his publications[70] Weigel describes his several mechanical devices, including his globes, to which he refers as “Globus Mundanus,” “Viceglobus,” “Globus coelestis perpetuus,” and “Geocosmus,” the latter being referred to by the author as a useful terrestrial globe, which exhibits not only all countries, but the time of the day and of the year in all localities; also the wind and the rain and volcanic eruptions. Coronelli gives a brief description of the same, which he calls a “Pancosmo, o Mondo Universale,” from which, in the main, the following is taken.[71]

This machine, he says, has a circumference of thirty-two feet, being constructed in the form of an armillary sphere. On its surface the stars are represented, each in its proper size and place, and Coronelli, perhaps indirectly quoting Weigel’s own opinion of his production, notes its real superiority to nature, for he states that the stars, as represented, can be seen at all hours of the day and night and as well in sunshine or rain. This “Pancosmo” was made to appear, in its mounting, as if standing or resting on the clouds, the whole being supported by two statues each eight feet in height, the one representing Hercules and the other Athene. Through a door, which was practically invisible, the great sphere could be entered by a considerable number of persons at one time, and be enjoyed by them, implies Coronelli, some standing and some sitting. It was so arranged within that when one half of the celestial sphere was lighted the other half remained in darkness, the revolution of the sphere giving a representation of the rising and the setting of the stars. At the center was placed a small terrestrial globe within which was a reservoir; this could be made to serve in a representation of the subterranean fires which issued, at times most opportune, from the craters of volcanoes represented, such as Vesuvius and Aetna in the south of Italy, others in the East Indian Islands and still others in America. “They give out steam, flames, and pleasant odors,” says Coronelli, “which please the spectators.” By means of a screen and lantern it was made possible to represent the inhabitants of any country desired, moving about as in actual life, even “the antipodes,” says the author, “with heads downward and feet upward.” At pleasure a breeze could be made to blow from any desired quarter, meteors could be made to flit across the sky; rain- and hailstorms, lightning and thunder, could be imitated. On the surface of the terrestrial globe were represented the several countries of the earth, likewise the several seas. Coronelli notes that which Weigel seems to have regarded an especially commendable feature, the grouping of the stars into new constellations, which grouping was particularly designed to aid the memory. This of all the large globes constructed in the period seems especially to have represented the ultrapractical, and we have no knowledge that it was ever regarded in any other light than as a great mechanical wonder. The final disposition of this “Pancosmo” is unknown. Günther doubts that globes such as Weigel proposed to construct are still in existence. He, however, refers to a globe in the collection of the Germanisches Museum which exhibits the constellations somewhat after Weigel’s plan.

That a certain preference manifested itself in Italy, during the greater part of the sixteenth century, and among certain individuals interested in geographical and astronomical matters, in engraved metal globes or in globes with manuscript maps, has been previously noted. An argument frequently advanced in opposition to that favoring the use of printed maps was that the manuscript globe could the more easily be made of large size, indeed could easily be made of any desirable size. The later years of the seventeenth century furnish us with excellent examples in proof that a preference for such globes lingered in certain circles in the peninsula.

Carlo Benci (1616-1676), a Silvestrian monk, born in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, may be named as one of the foremost among the manuscript globe makers of the period.[72] At the age of twenty-one he entered the monastery of S. Benedetto of Fabriano, receiving in the ceremony attending his admission the name D. Doroteo. One year later we find him in the monastery of S. Giovanni in Montepulciano, and in the year 1652 in the convent of S. Stefano del Cacco of Rome, on entering which he changed his name to D. Carlo Benci, we are told, attained to a place of eminence among men of learning in Italy on account of his philosophical and theological studies. In the year 1645 he was chosen for an administrative office in his order, and later he successively became sacristan, curate prior, and titular abbé of S. Bonifazio near Cingoli in the Marche, retaining to the end of his life the headship of the parish of S. Stefano.

To his fame as philosopher and theologian he seems to have added that of expert cosmographer, winning through the wide extent of his interests the special favor of Pope Clement X, who selected him as his spiritual adviser. It must be noted, however, that his name nowhere appears especially conspicuous among contemporary writers on philosophical, theological or scientific subjects, and we have only the tangible evidence of his cosmographical interests in a fine pair of globes constructed in the year 1671, now belonging to Prince D. Camillo Massimo of Rome.

These globes have a diameter of about 1 m. and still retain the greater part of their original mounting, which, in each, consists of a meridian circle (this in the terrestrial globe is modern) not graduated, within which they are adjusted to revolve on their equatorial polar axes, of a horizon band, likewise not graduated, being circular on the inner edge, but octagonal on the outer, the whole being supported by four turned legs joined by crossbars at their lower extremities. Both spheres are of papier-mâché and are well preserved, the terrestrial having suffered slightly more injury than the celestial. The spheres are covered with somewhat irregular pieces of paper, though carefully matched, which are yellow with age. On this paper surface the maps terrestrial and celestial were drawn with a stylus.

On a plate attached to the terrestrial globe we find a dedication to Pope Clement X, this being surmounted with a coat of arms of the Altieri family, of which family Pope Clement was a member. This dedication reads:

“Beatissimo Padre. Non si debbono questi due globi rappresentanti il Cielo e la Terra da me con diligente studio composti consecrare ad altri che alla S^ta V^ra, come quella, che dell’ uno maneggia le Chiavi e dell’ altra regge lo Scettro. Considerava io, che l’ Imperio di V^ra Beatit^ne per non avere confini, che lo restringano, è contanto vasto, che non può quasi essere da humano intendim^o compreso, poichè non ha la Terra, nè monte, nè fiume, nè l’Oceano istesso, che i termini gli prescriva, nè ha il Cielo, nè Asterismo, nè gruppo di stelle sì folto che faccia sbarra et impedisca che l’ autorità della St̄a V.r̄a non giunga alle porte dell’ Empireo, che chiude e disserra a suo talento. Quindi riflettendo io sopra l’ampiezza o per così dire incomprensibilità del suo sacro Regno, per agevolare il suo conoscim^o mi disposi di portare quasi in compendio de l’ uno e l’altro orbe, cioè Celeste e Terreno, in queste due moli di giro non ordinario la descritione dove possa l’occhio con un semplice sguardo ravvisare ciò che non può la nostra mente con la sua acutezza comprendere, e dove la S.t̄a V.r̄a, sollevata tal’ hora dal peso delle cure gravissime, possa rivolgere le luci per contemplare la D. grandezza del suo Sacro dominio. Di qui spero che V.r̄a Beatitudine sia per gradire queste mie deboli fatiche, come di un suddito che porta il carattere di suo servitore attuale, e che sia per misurare dalla grandezza di queste Sfere l’eccesso delle obbligazioni che le professo. E. qui augurandole l’età e gl’ anni di Nestore, le bacio humilmente prostrato a terra i Santissimi piedi.

“Di S. Stefano del Cacco di Roma li 28 di Dicembre 1671 “Di V.r̄a Beatitudine.
“Hum^mo Devot^mo Oblig^mo serv^re e Suddito
“D. Carlo Benci Mon^co Silvestrino.”[73]

“Most blessed Father. These two globes, which represent the heavens and the earth, constructed by myself with painstaking industry, ought not to be dedicated to any one but to Your Holiness, who with one hand controls the keys and with the other wields the scepter. I reflect that the empire of Your Holiness, having no boundaries to restrict it, is so vast that it scarcely can be grasped by the human imagination, since earth has not mountain, river, or even ocean that can set limits thereto; nor is there sky, or planet, or star, or constellation so dense as to check or hinder Your Holiness from reaching the gate of empyrean which You open and shut at will. Reflecting therefore upon the expanse, and so to speak, upon incomprehensibleness of Your Holiness’ Empire, I determined, with a view to furthering the knowledge of it to give a representation of both worlds (that is of the celestial and of the terrestrial), much reduced, as it were, upon these two spheres of no mean size, on which the eye will be able at one glance to recognize what the human intellect with all its powers is impotent to grasp; and over which Your Holiness, when at times relieved from the pressure of overwhelming responsibilities, will be able to cast your glance in order to view the aforesaid vastness of Your Dominion.

“Wherefore I trust that Your Holiness will be inclined to accept these my feeble labors, as those of a subject whose real capacity is that of Your Holiness’ servant, and that You may be willing to take the great size of these globes as the measure of the vastness of the obligation which I avow myself under to Your Holiness. And now wishing Your Holiness the age and the years of Nestor, I humbly prostrate myself upon the ground, and kiss Your Most Holy Feet.

“San Stefano del Cacco, Rome, 28, December 1671.

“Your Holiness’ most humble, most devoted, and most obliged servant and subject,

“Dom Carlo Benci

“Silvestrin monk.”

Near this dedication is a portrait of the Pope, the subscription reading “Clemens Decimus Pont. Max.”

The terrestrial globe shows the parallels at intervals of ten degrees, and the meridians at like intervals counting from that passing through the Island of Ferro which has been taken as the prime meridian. The polar circles, the tropics, and the ecliptic are made especially prominent. Place names and legends are given either in Latin or in Italian, some of the briefer legends taking note of geographical discoveries of special importance, and clearly indicating that the author was well informed on the progress of discovery.

The celestial globe has represented on its surface both the equator and the ecliptic with their respective poles indicated; circles of latitude and of longitude are omitted. The year 1600 was selected as the normal year for recording the position of the stars, and a statement is made noting the corrections becoming necessary by reason of the precession of the equinoxes. Only the Ptolemaic constellations are given, and the figures representing the same are very artistically drawn. The famous star which appeared in the year 1572 and the position of numerous comets are indicated, with the date of the appearance of each.

Until the year 1862 these globes were preserved in the Altieri Library, when they were offered for sale and were purchased by Prince D. Camillo Massimo, finding a place in his palace at the Villa Peretti.

If Benci, through his cosmographical studies, as well as through his other studies, brought fame to himself and to his order of Silvestrin monks, to Amantius Moroncelli, likewise a member of this order and a contemporary, no less credit should be given for his achievements as a maker of manuscript globes.[74] It has been noted that but one pair of Benci’s globes can now be located, but no less than ten constructed by Moroncelli may today be found in Italian libraries and museums, most of which possess both scientific and artistic value of a high order.

A pair of his earliest globes is in the possession of the Biblioteca di S. Marco of Venice (Fig. [105]). These were probably constructed as early as the year 1672 for the monastery of Cassenesi, located on the Island of S. Georgio Maggiore. The director of the S. Marco Library informs the author[75] that they have a diameter of more than 2 m., and that through want of proper care they are in a very bad state of preservation, being so darkened with age as to render their maps quite illegible. On the terrestrial globe there is a portrait, opposite which is a representation of the coat of arms of a bishop. The celestial globe is somewhat better preserved, having a title, only a part of which can be deciphered, reading “In hoc coelesti globo adnotantur omnes stellae fixae ad annum ... ac cometae,” and concluding “Extruxit D. Silvester Amantius Moroncellus Fabrianensis benedictinus sub congregationem Silvestri Abbatis. Venetiis in Augustissima bibliotheca S. Georgii Majoris....” The director of the library reads the date as 1683, others have thought it to be 1672.

Fig. 105. Terrestrial Globe of Silvester Amantius Moroncelli, 1672.

In the Biblioteca Alessandrini of Rome may be found two manuscript globes of Moroncelli, a terrestrial and a celestial, each having a diameter of about 88 cm. These spheres are covered with paper gores fashioned as are printed gore maps, eighteen in number, the polar space being covered with semicircular sections, two in number for each pole. On this paper covering the maps were drawn by hand. Each of the globes is furnished with a brass meridian circle and a horizon circle of wood, the whole being supported by a plane base. Under the portrait of Pope Innocent XI is the following inscription: “Regnante Innocentio XI. Hos cosmographicos globos toto studio construxit, calamoque conscripsit, D. Silvester Amantius Mon. Benedictinus Cong. Silvestrin. Ann. D. MDCLXXVII.” “In the Pontificate of Innocent XI these cosmographic spheres were constructed with all zeal, and completed with the pen, by D. Silvester Amantius a monk of the Benedictine order and of the Silvestrin Congregation. In the year 1677.” The legend containing the usual address to the reader is taken from Greuter’s globe of 1632 or from Blaeu’s globe of 1622,[76] concluding, however, with the following, “D. Silvester Amantius Moroncellus Fabrianensis Monachus Silvestrinus auctor, construxit et notavit. Aetatis suae an. 27. 1679.” “D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, a monk of the Silvestrin order; constructed and lettered (this globe) in the 27th year of his age. 1679.” On the terrestrial globe meridians and parallels are indicated at intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian passing through the Canary Islands.

On the celestial globe is the following legend or inscription: “Laudatissimum Astronomiae studium atquum sit difficilimum, jucunditas tamen cum difficultate conjungitur, prospere ut homines et coelum potius quam calcata intueri. Creator noster omnipotens cetera animantia per terram sternere jussit, at homines non sic, sed totum ad sidera extolli. Pronaque cum spectent animalia cetera terrae Os homini sublime dedit coelumque videre Jussit, et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus. Et ideo optimum erat ut aliquod exemplum sub oculis hic opponeretur quod non immerito in medio sapientiae sistit, ut sciant non aliter quam et per sapientiam ipsum posse cognosci.

“In isto igitur per ipsum coelestium siderum ordinem cognoscent et nomina astrorum juxta exactum observationem Hipparchi, Ptolomei, Alphonsi, et Copernici per Ticonem Brahe ad trutinam examinatiae, et ne octium me opprimeret, in istud quod cernunt per me accurate delineata. Ita ut omnes cognoscant in vita quod post mortem omnibus opto valeant. Romae apud S. Stephanum supra Caccum die VI men. Jan. MDCLXXX. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncellus Fabrianensis Mon. Cong^is Silvestrinorum.” “The much lauded study of astronomy, although it is very difficult, yet pleasure is joined with the difficulty, for it is a happier lot for men to look at the sky, than to look at the road trodden by their feet; our Omnipotent Creator ordained that other living beings should be prone on the earth, that man should not be so, but should be wholly lifted up to the stars. For while other living beings look earthward, He has given man an uplifted countenance and bidden him look heavenward, and raise his uplifted face toward the stars. And therefore it was good that some example should be placed here under his eyes, which might assist him to stand in the midst of wisdom, so that men might understand that God could be known in no otherwise than by wisdom. On this globe therefore, and by its aid will be known the order and the names of the celestial stars according to the exact observations of Hipparchus, Ptolemy, Alfonso, and Copernicus, and arranged for general use by Tycho Brahe; and that idleness might not oppress me, accurately depicted by me, according to their discoveries. This I have done in order that all men may know in their lifetime what I hope they may all attain to know after their death. At Rome, from S. Stevens on the hill, January 6th, 1680. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, a monk of the Silvestrin Congregation.”

The tropics, the polar circles, and the ecliptic are represented, and the figures of the several constellations are artistically drawn, the effect being heightened by skilful shading.

The Biblioteca Municipale of Fermo possesses a fine manuscript terrestrial globe made by Moroncelli and dated 1713. This globe is not a perfect sphere, having a polar diameter of 180 cm. and an equatorial diameter of 194 cm. The ball is composed of thin strips of wood extending from pole to pole, having first, over the same, a covering of heavy parchment paper, and over this somewhat irregular but well-joined pieces of fine draughting paper. It is furnished with a meridian circle of iron, a horizon circle of wood, the whole resting on a wooden base. The author and date legend, placed in a shield-shaped cartouch, reads, “Opus meccanicum hoc mirifice compositum ab Ill. m̄o Domino Philippo Antonio Morrono Archipresbitero Firm^no Mirificentius vere geographice distinctum a Rev^mo P. Abb. D. Silvestro Amantio Moroncello Fabrianensi. Anno a Redemptore nato MDCCXIII.” “This mechanical work was marvelously constructed by the Illustrious D. Philip Antony Morono, Archdeacon of Fermo. Its geographical details were wonderfully inserted by the Rev. Father Abbot D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, in the year of Redemption, 1713.”

In a cartouch similar to that containing the legend just quoted, though much larger and resting on a representation of the imperial eagle of Fermo, having a white cross on its breast and the motto “Firmum firma fides Romanorum colonia,” there is drawn a picture of the city of Fermo with a red background. Near the Tropic of Cancer, on the meridian of 250 degrees, there is a shield with the coat of arms of the Morone family, and below the Tropic of Cancer, on the meridian of 200 degrees, is the coat of arms of the author, likewise within a shield and artistically sketched. The picture of a Moor and of a black eagle, around which is a band of blue with three golden stars, the whole surmounted by a prelate’s black hat with tassels, the Moor indicating the origin of the name Moroncelli, and the prelate’s hat honoring the author’s intimate friend, Gian Francesco Albani, who became Pope Clement XI and who had nominated him a domestic prelate.

In longitude 113 degrees, in a shield, is the coat of arms of this pope, at the right of which is the inscription, “Implebitur vaticinium,” at the left “Replebitur majestate omnis terra,” and below “Irradiatibur evangelio, studio recentis Clementiae et Successorum.” There are two or three additional shields, in one of which is an illegible inscription, and one has been left blank. Although meridians and parallels are indicated, loxodromic lines are wanting, which so generally appear on those globes constructed in the Netherlands. The nomenclature is either Latin, Italian or local. Mythological and allegorical figures are numerous, as are also representations of sea monsters and sailing ships.

A pair of Moroncelli’s globes, in excellent condition, may be found in the Accademia Etrusca of Cortona. These are reported to have come to the Academy in the year 1727 as a gift from the Abbé Onofrio Baldelli. They have each a diameter of about 80 cm., are mounted on plain bases, and are furnished with the usual meridian circles within which they may be revolved. On the terrestrial globe a legend is placed within a shieldlike cartouch surmounted with a coat of arms of the patrician family Baldelli of Cortona, and reads, “Virorum probitas, eruditio et virtus existimationem exigunt. Haec in Ill^mo D. Abb. Onofrio Baldelli Patritio Cortonensi mirifice effulgent. Ne dum in Humanis Artibus summopere praedito. Verum etiam in Magnanimitatem laudabili: Dum ad complementum Bibliotechae, pro Studiorum Concivium utilitate et eruditione, ab ipso erectae, globos etiam cosmographicos, licet etiam dispendio trescentorum scutorum libenter auxit. Quamobrem tantis meritis coactus D. Sil^r Amantius Moroncelli Fabrianens: Abb: Bened. Congr. Silvestrinorum Auctor ad perpetuam rei memoriam Monumentum hoc posuit Ann. Sal. MDCCXIV.” “The uprightness of men, their learning and virtue call for respect; these qualities marvelously shine forth in the illustrious lord Abbot Onofri Baldelli of patrician rank of Cortona; not only was he endowed beyond others in the humanities, but also he was praiseworthy for his magnanimity. To furnish the library erected by him, for the use and the instruction of his student fellow citizens, he generously contributed these cosmographic globes, although they cost 300 scudi. Wherefore, being executed by his great abilities, D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, Benedictine Abbot of the Silvestrin Congregation, has erected this monument for their perpetual remembrance of his generosity. In the year of our Salvation 1714.”

A second legend in a less decorative cartouch reads, “Orbis Terraquei, juxta presentem notitiam, cum multa adhuc invenienda remaneant, non solum in Terra Australi incognita, verum etiam in Septentrionalibus Americae Superioris ubi molta Jam occulta manent a D. Silvestro Amantio Moroncelli Fabrianensi Abb: Bened: Congr. Silvest. Cosmographo Reginae Svecorum, nec non Sapientiae Rom. Anno etatis sue, 64, Red. v͞o MDCCXV.” “In our present knowledge of the terraqueous world much yet remains to be discovered, not only in the unknown lands of the south, but also in the northern regions of North America where many things are still undiscovered. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, Benedictine Abbot of the Silvestrin Congregation, Cosmographer of the Queen of Sweden and also of the Roman Academy (made this globe) in the 64th year of his age, and in the year of Redemption, 1715.”

The parallels and meridians are drawn at intervals of five degrees, and one compass is placed in the southern hemisphere. Both Latin and Italian have been employed for the geographical names.

The celestial globe contains the figures of the several constellations exquisitely drawn, the name of each being given in Latin, in Arabic, and in Greek. One finds on this globe but the one short legend reading “Stella praeclara et peregrina Anno D. 1572 et per annum et quatuor menses, scilicet a principio Novvemb. usque ad ultimum Martii 1573.” “A very bright and wandering star (appearing) in the year 1572 and for one year and four months, visible from the first of November to the last of March 1573.”

Another fine pair of Moroncelli’s manuscript globes, constructed in the year 1716, is to be found in the Biblioteca Casanatense of Rome. They have each a diameter of about 160 cm. and are mounted on plain octagonal bases. The terrestrial has a graduated meridian of brass, a horizon circle of wood, likewise graduated and having indicated on its surface the several signs of the zodiac, the names of the months, and of the principal winds. On the surface of the globe, the parallels and the meridians are drawn at intervals of five degrees, the prime meridian passing through the most western island of the Canaries. The address to the reader, like that on the globe in the Alessandrian Library, is practically a copy of the one to be found on the Greuter globe of the year 1632. A lengthy legend relating to the prime meridian reads: “Ut recta methodo ad cognitionem Geographie deveniamus, Principium desumere a p^o Meridiano, a quo longitudo habetur, debemus. Unde sic. Quamvis igitur Longitudinis initium arbitrarium sit, ab occasu tamen ejus auspicium facere ideo Veteribus placuit quod illic aliquis Terre limes esset inventus qui Ortum versus nullus expeditionibus deprehendi potuisset atque eam ob causam Ptolemeus cujus sedulitati ac industriae Geographie incolumitatem omnes vel inviti debent ab ultimo termino Occidentis cognito que Insule in Atlantico mari Fortunate olim dicte nunc Canariae vocantur auspicium fecit. In iisque Primum meridianum defixit quod theticum principium deinceps fere omnes ejus auctoritate moti retinuerunt. Nunnulli quidem Seculo transacto principium tenendum censuere ubi Acus Magneti junctae recta in boream spectat: Sed multum inter se dissentientes allucinantur. Nos autem Ptolomei vestigiis insistentes easdem Insulas delegimus et Lineam meridionalem in Insula De Ferro dicta que de Fortunatis ut olim et de Canariis nunc, una de Principalibus est fiximus.” “That we may come to the right method for acquiring a knowledge of geography we must make a beginning from the first meridian from which longitude is reckoned. Although the beginning of longitude is arbitrary it pleased the ancients to make this beginning from the west because there was found a limit of the earth which could not be found by voyages toward the east. For this reason Ptolemy, to whose application and industry all men owe the preservation of geography though grudgingly, made the beginning from the farthest known bounds of the west, which are the Fortunate Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, but now called the Canary Islands. In these he fixed the first meridian, and this hypothetical beginning almost all who have followed him have been led by his authority to retain. Not a few in the century just passed have thought that the beginning should be made where the magnetic needle points directly to the north. But these, as they disagree among themselves are mistaken. We follow in the footsteps of Ptolemy and have chosen the same island, and placed the meridian line in the Island of Ferro, one of the principal islands of the Fortunate group now called the Canaries.”

In addition to the one just quoted there are a few other legends relating to geographical discoveries which contain allusions, very similar to the many which may be found on certain other globes of the period, adding little or nothing that is new.

The celestial globe, mounted practically the same as the terrestrial, contains the following legend: “Ecce damus methodo Ptolemaica seu Orteliana coelestium siderum quotquot hodie extare comperimus schemata, situs et ut decet reperiuntur perfecta. Sunt enim ex descriptionibus Hipparchi, Ptolomei, Alphonsi, Copernici, per Tyconem Brahe ad trutinam examinata, nec non Joannis Bayeri, qui Uranometriam per imagines in tabulis aeneis expressit. Et nunc per me D. Silvestrum Amantium Moroncelli Fabrianen̄ Abbatem Bened. Congreg. Silv. calamo descripta coloribusque effigiata adattataque ad Ann. 1716.” “Observe that we give after the method of Ptolemy or Ortelius the settings of the stars of heaven, as far as they have, to the present, been discovered, and as far as their positions have been made known. We have employed the descriptions of Hipparchus, Ptolemy, Alfonso, and Copernicus, as tested and confirmed by Tycho Brahe, and also by the observations of Johannes Bayer, who expressed the star system (of Tycho Brahe) objectively in brass tables, now by myself D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, Benedictine Abbot of the Silvestrin Congregation. All these have been expressed in letters and represented in colors, and accommodated to the year 1716.”

There is given a second legend of some importance reading, “Tabula continens quantum quovis proposito anno vel addendum vel demendum sit longitudini affixarum. Stellae enim spatio septuaginta Annorum et quinque mensium unicum gradum secondum Asterismorum ordinem super Polum Zodiaci progrediuntur ab Occasu ad Orientem. Ex hujusmodi Regula invenitur Sidera migrasse a Mundi creatione usque ad hunc annum 6915, Gr. 98, M. 47, S. 20. Et ab adventu D. N. J. C. usque ad hunc annum 1716, Gr. 24, M. 30, S. 25.” “Table noting how much must be added to or subtracted from the longitude of the fixed stars in any given year. The stars move from west to east one degree in the space of seventy years and five months according to the order of the constellations of the zodiac. From this rule it is found that the stars have moved from the creation of the world a period of 6915 years to the present 98 degrees, 47 minutes and 20 seconds, and from the advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ to this year 1716, 24 degrees, 30 minutes, and 25 seconds.”

In addition to the above-mentioned examples of Moroncelli’s work, there may be cited a number of allusions to others which cannot now be located. Fiorini notes first a fine cosmographic sphere designed to represent both the terrestrial and the celestial, having a circumference of 2.62 palms, and probably constructed for the patrician family Trevisiani.[77] It appears that it later passed into the hands of Prince Lucio Odescalchi of Milan, and in the year 1849 was taken to Rome, after which it appears that all trace of it was lost. It is said to have been a very artistic piece, brilliantly colored with numerous pictures executed in miniature, and to have been dated 1690. The anonymous biographer of Moroncelli, whose account exists only in manuscript and is frequently cited by Fiorini, notes that Moroncelli constructed a manuscript globe for Queen Christina of Sweden.[78] This has been thought by Porti to be the globe just referred to, but the identity is doubtful. Again Fiorini makes allusion to the probable existence at one time of a pair of Moroncelli’s globes in the Monasterio Biblioteca of S. Benedetto of Fabriano, and of still another pair in the Collegio De Vecchi of the same city, but of these nothing at present is known.[79] The anonymous biography likewise alludes to one of his celestial globes which he constructed and dedicated to Cardinal Alessandro Albani of Urbino. In this the author undertook, like certain others of his day, to substitute for the Greek mythological characters or figures representing the several constellations, pictures of biblical objects and characters, or of individuals selected from Christian martyrology.[80] While this particular globe cannot now be located, there is a small one of similar character which belongs to the Accademia Etrusca of Cortona, having a diameter of about 27 cm., its map being partly in manuscript and partly printed. There is the following author and date legend: “Sacrometria omnium asterismorum coelestium figuris Aecclesiasticis reformatorum a Rev. Abb. D. Sil. Amantio Moroncelli Fabrianen. Silvestrino Ann. 1710.” “Sacred measurements of all the heavenly stars expressed in ecclesiastical notation by the Rev. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, a Silvestrian, in the year 1710.” A brief descriptive legend reads, “In hac coelesti sphaera Stellae affixae majori quam hactenus numero et accuratiori industria delineantur novis asterismis in Philomateorū gratiam de integro additis: quae omnia secondum Astronomorum Principis Thyconis Brahe et aliorum observationem verae suae Longitudini ac Latitudini ad annum Christi 1636 restituta sunt.” “In this celestial sphere the fixed stars are depicted in greater number than previously and with more accurate care, the new stars being added for the use of the student; all of which, according to the observations of that Prince of astronomers Tycho Brahe, and of others, are given with their true latitude and longitude, and accommodated to the year of Christ 1636.” This library of Cortona possesses a manuscript of Moroncelli titled “Sacrometria omnium asterismorum continens schemata figuris ecclesiasticis expressa Silvestri Amantii Moroncelli Fabrianensis ecc. anno 1707.” “Sacred measurement of all the stars being a scheme expressing in ecclesiastical notation by Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano in the year 1707.” The constellations he divides into three groups: the boreal from 1-19, the zodiacal from 20-31, the southern from 32-58, giving to each a new name. Hercules, for example, he changed to Samson; Lyra to David; Cassiopeia to Eve; Virgo to Virgo Maria Assumpta in Coelum. One can scarcely affirm that Moroncelli exerted a wide-reaching influence, nevertheless he has, for his day, a place of considerable prominence among globe makers.

Mr. William R. Hearst of New York possesses an exceedingly fine manuscript celestial globe which circumstances have not left it possible to identify. He has courteously furnished the photograph from which it is here shown in illustration (Fig. [106]). Once belonging to Mr. Stanford White, it probably was purchased in Italy, passing in the year 1907 into the hands of Mr. Hearst. In the sales catalogue of The American Art Society it is referred to as a globe of the sixteenth century. There, however, is reason for assigning it to the latter part of the seventeenth century, as there is reason for attributing it to the Abbot Silvester Amantius Moroncelli. If the authorship is correctly attributed it may be counted one of great value. The figures of the several constellations are well colored. The mounting is of wrought iron, with gilt ornaments. The globe itself has a diameter of about 90 cm., while its entire height, including the tripod base, is about 200 cm.

Fig. 106. Manuscript Celestial Globe (Moroncelli?), Late Seventeenth Century.

Roger Palmer (Fig. [107]), Count of Castlemaine (1634-1705),[81] published, in the year 1679, a work bearing the title ‘The English globe being a stabil and immobil one, performing what the ordinary globes do, and much more.’ In this he described a globe of his own invention, having a diameter of about one foot. It does not appear that the Earl especially distinguished himself in matters either geographical or astronomical. As a diversion from his other interests which claimed his attention, he appears to have turned to the construction of a globe for which he claimed an especial superiority over all others, primarily on account of its simplicity. He set forth in his descriptive text more than twenty of its superior features, and it is interesting to note that Moxon thought well enough of the work to reissue it in the year 1696.[82] (Fig. [108].)

Fig. 107.

Fig. 108. Globe of Earl of Castlemaine, 1679.

Coronelli gives us the following information concerning a rather remarkable globe which he had occasion to examine in the city of Augsburg, of which he made a drawing for the Venetian Academy (Fig. [109]), as he tells us, afterward reproducing the same in his ‘Epitome Cosmografica.’[83] This globe he says was the invention of Christopher Treffler of Augsburg and was constructed by Christopher Rad, jeweler to His Majesty the Emperor, in the year 1683. He calls it an “Automaton Sphaeridicum,” that is, a celestial globe provided with an automatic movement, so contrived as to exhibit accurately the course of the stars, and to indicate the years, months, days, hours, and minutes, together with the eclipses for seventeen years in advance. At the top of the instrument was placed a little sphere by means of which one could represent certain celestial phenomena, past and future. This mechanism, says Coronelli, is ornamented with great ingenuity, good taste, and all regardless of expense. In its construction eighteen hundred ounces of gold and silver had been used. Its height was seven feet, and at the bottom it measured four feet, the entire work rising in the manner of a pyramid above its support of four artistically designed figures. This globe, says Coronelli, which we have seen and handled, and of which we have an exceedingly high opinion, was for sale at eight thousand thaler, and had been fully described in a duodecimo volume printed by the House of Koppmeyer, in the year 1683.[84] It is not known what became of this globe which Coronelli found to be so worthy of his commendation.

Fig. 109. Globe of Christopher Treffler, 1683.

The Atheneo of Brescia possesses an armillary sphere, having on one of its armillae an inscription which tells us that it was constructed by Gian Battista Alberti in the year 1688, for Count Martinengo.[85] The graduated horizon circle, on which appear the names of the sixteen principal winds or directions, rests upon two semicircles, which in turn rest on a support of brass ornamented by six allegorical figures. In this supporting base there has been placed a compass. Its graduated hour circle is furnished with a movable index, such as had become common in globe construction. Five prominent circles represent the equator, the tropics, and the polar circles, to which is added a zodiacal band which is graduated and bears the names and the symbolical figures of the twelve constellations, and the names of the months. Two rings for the purpose of indicating celestial latitude and longitude are placed within the above-named circles and carry representations of the sun and the moon.

A contemporary of Alberti, Giovanni Maccari of Mirandola, likewise a maker of armillary spheres, is known to us through one only, but a fine example of his work.[86] This sphere belongs to the Liceo Spallanzi of Regio Emilia. The meridian circle, having a diameter of about 16 cm., is graduated both for latitude and co-latitude by fives. Adjusted to this meridian is a circle representing the colures, likewise graduated both for latitude and co-latitude, but by tens, and adjusted to these are the polar circles, the tropics, and the equator. On the zodiacal circle are engraved the names of the twelve constellations, the names of the days, and on the inner surface the inscription “Joannes Maccarius Mirandulanus Feccit 1689.” The supporting base is triangular in shape, having a compass placed in the center. Within the three angles of this base shields have been placed, the one bearing the inscription “Anno Domini 1689,” the second the name “Jo Vulpis Mirandulanus Dom^us,” by whom the work was probably ordered; the third has a representation of a fox, the emblem of the Volpi family. In addition to the above the base is ornamented with a bronze scroll, to the points of which are attached semicircles which support the horizon circle. This circle has a diameter of about 15 cm., on which are engraved the usual zodiacal names and signs, the names of the months, and of the principal winds or directions. An hour circle is placed at the south pole with a movable index, and within, at the common center of the circles, a small sphere to represent the terrestrial globe, through which the polar axis is made to pass.

In the Biblioteca Estense of Modena there may be found three armillary spheres apparently of about the same date as the two just described.[87] One of the three bears the inscription “Jos Ant^us Vulpes Mirandula Domin. anno Domini 1689.” The other two, somewhat larger in size than the preceding, give us no particular indication of the maker, and no exact date of construction. They may be the work of Alberti or of Maccari.

In Italy’s long line of illustrious geographers, cartographers, and globe makers none has rank in advance of P. Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650-1718).[88] His achievements within his field were prodigious.[89] While, as noted above, there is wanting the evidence that his influence was extended in striking manner into transalpine countries, he seems at least to have won the enthusiastic recognition of contemporary men of science, as one worthy of honor for his great achievements.

He was a native of Ravenna (Fig. [110]), a member of the Franciscan Order of monks, serving in the last years of his life as its general. It was in his young manhood that he went to Venice, which city became the scene of the greater part of his literary and scientific activities.

Fig. 110. Portrait of P. Vincenzo Coronelli.

More than four hundred maps were drawn, engraved, and printed by him in the Franciscan Convent located on one of the Venetian islands, and known as the Gran Casa del Frari, where he lived with other brothers of the Order. It was in this convent that Coronelli founded, in the year 1680, the first geographical society, to which he gave the name Accademia Cosmografo degli Argonauti,[90] which in its organization followed somewhat that of certain other learned societies owing their origin to the literary and scientific activities of the renaissance period. Its membership, in the course of years, included men of distinction in other cities of Italy and in the North; men famous for their achievements and for their interest in geographical science, literary men, men who held high rank in Europe’s aristocracy, cardinals, prelates, princes, and monarchs.[91] The society became one of the most active of the period, and the list of publications which issued from its press, each bearing the argonautic emblem or device—a ship on a terrestrial globe with the motto “Plus Ultra” (Fig. [111])—is a long one.[92]

Fig. 111. Emblem of the Venetian Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti.

So great had become the fame of Coronelli as early as the year 1685, that he was honored with the title Cosmografo della Serenissima Republica, and was granted an annual allowance of four hundred florins, and a copyright privilege protecting him in his right to print and publish any of his works for a period of twenty-five years.[93]

We have no definite information as to the circumstances attending Coronelli’s first interest in globe construction. It appears that his first work in this line, a pair of large manuscript globes, opened immediately to him a path to fame, for these had come to adorn the library of the Duke of Parma to whom the French Cardinal, d’Estrées, in the year 1680 had occasion to pay a visit and they immediately won the cardinal’s interest. A pair of such globes, thought he, for so runs the story, would be a source of great delight to His Majesty the French King, Louis XIV. Learning that the construction of still larger globes was altogether possible, but that their removal from Italy to France would be attended with great difficulty, he persuaded Coronelli to accept an invitation to take up a residence in Paris, there to direct the construction of a terrestrial and a celestial globe, sparing neither labor nor expense that they might be worthy of presentation to the Grand Monarch. If Olearius could construct a globe ten feet and more in diameter for Duke Frederick of Holstein, and Weigel one of similar dimensions for the demonstration of his theories, why, thought Coronelli, should I not undertake the preparation of those at least fifteen feet in diameter, which in all the details of globe construction should be made to surpass any that had hitherto been conceived? The author himself has given us the first though brief description of his completed work,[94] and the royal astronomer, La Hire, supplemented this description in his little volume published in the year 1704, when the globes had been placed in the Chateau Marly.[95] In the author’s own account he alludes to the globes as having been constructed at Paris under his direction, and by order of the Most Eminent Cardinal d’Estrées, for the service of His Most Christian Majesty. Great care was especially exercised in the construction of the machinery designed for the rotation of the spheres, the author being especially proud of the fact that, so delicate was this mechanism, each could be set in motion by a single finger. He further gives us to understand that each sphere was so well fashioned “one could design upon its surface all the degrees in the manner in which a turner designs any circle on a ball without having it removed from the turner’s lathe,” and that the material of which they were constructed was so solid and so well joined that each was able to sustain the weight of thirty men. Each was furnished with a door through which a considerable number of persons might enter at one time, their presence within affecting in no wise the solidity of construction. Each was covered with fine canvas so carefully laid on that none of the joints could be seen, giving a surface smooth as ivory. The meridian and horizon circles were of bronze, the whole being supported by columns which were richly ornamented. In the base, between the four columns supporting the meridian circles, large compasses were placed, being so designed as properly to indicate the needle’s declination.

On the celestial globe the greater and the lesser circles were represented in gilt bronze, and were so graduated for both latitude and longitude, ascension and declination, that it was made easy for an astronomer to pass from one co-ordinate to the other without the aid of trigonometry. On a fine background of ultramarine the several constellations with their respective figures were represented, each of the planets and fixed stars being gilded in order to give it due prominence. The author so designed his star map as to represent the appearance of the heavens at the time of the birth of the Grand Monarch,[96] as is told in the following dedication engraved on a brass tablet and attached to the surface of the sphere: “A l’Auguste Majesté de Louis le Grand l’Invincible, l’Heureux, le Sage, le Conquerant. Cesar Cardinal d’Estrées a consacré ce globe celeste, ou toutes les etoilles du firmament, et les planetes sont placées au lieu mesme, ou elles estoient a la naissance de ce Glorieux Monarque, afin de conserver a l’eternite une image fixe de cette heureuse disposition, sous laquelle la France a receu le plus grand present, que le ciel ait iamais fait a la terre. M.DC.LXXXIII.” “To His August Majesty Louis the Great, the Invincible, the Happy, the Wise, the Conquering. Cesar Cardinal d’Estrées has dedicated this celestial globe, on which all the stars of heaven and the planets are placed in the same position in which they were at the birth of the Glorious Monarch, in order to preserve throughout eternity a fixed image of that happy disposition under which France has received the most noble present which Heaven has ever made to earth.”

On the terrestrial globe, which in its general features resembled the celestial, the seas were painted blue and the land white, that the several names and legends might appear the more distinct. A portrait of the King was placed above a cartouch containing the dedication, resembling that on the celestial globe, reading “A l’Auguste Majeste de Louis le Grand l’Invincible, l’Heureux, le Sage, le Conquerant. Cesar Cardinal d’Estrées a consacré ce globe terrestre, pour rendre un continuel hommage a sa Glore, et a ses Heroiques Vertus, en mostrant les pays ou mille grandes Actions ont esté executées et par Luy Mesme, et par ses Ordres, a l’estonnement de tant de nations, qu’il avroit pu soumetre a son empire, si sa Moderation n’eust arrestè le Cours de Ses Conquestes, et prescrit des bornes a Sa Valeur, plus grande encore que sa Fortune. M.DC.LXXXIII.” “To His August Majesty Louis the Great, the Invincible, the Happy, the Wise, the conquering. Cesar Cardinal d’Estrées has dedicated this terrestrial globe, in order to render perpetual homage to His Glory and to His Heroic Virtue in representing the countries wherein a thousand great acts have been performed both by Himself and by his Order, to the astonishment of all nations, which He would have been able to bring under his subjection if his moderation had not restrained the course of his Conquests and prescribed bounds to his Courage yet greater than his Fortune. M.DC.LXXXIII.”

Below this dedication, likewise below the corresponding dedication on the celestial globe, we read “Cet ouvrage a eté inventé et achevé par le Père Coronelli Venitien des. Min. Conv.” “This work was conceived and accomplished by P. Coronelli, a Venetian of the Minorite Order.”

In his brief description, the author says that he has shown on his terrestrial globe all ancient and modern discoveries, basing the same on the maps, the observations, and the reports of the most renowned geographers, to which he has added the results of his own studies not recorded on other globes nor in other maps. Special mention is made of information given concerning the interior regions of Africa, noting that “besides outlining the Monomotapa and Abyssinia countries, we have been the first to describe correctly the source as well as the course of the Nile River correcting, by many degrees the errors of the ancients.” Andrea Baba, public censor and secretary of the Argonauts, notes, in his letter to the reader appearing in the first volume of the ‘Atlante Veneto,’ that the author of the two globes, constructed for the King of France, had obtained numerous authentic reports of geographers and explorers, which he had included in his work. Ludolf, writing in the year 1691 concerning Ethiopia, records “Ethiopia: Nostram tabulam chorographicam comunicavimus cum P. Vincentio Coronellio, nunc cosmographo Veneto, qui eam adhibuit in globis quos Cardinalis Estresius pro rege Galliae construi fecit, maximos, qui unquam visi fuerint. Ibi in Globo terrestri Habessina et Nilus secundum nostram delineationem visitur. Satis mature eam communicaverim Adamo Oleario, cum insignem globum, qui Gottorfii cernitur, construeret, sed ille mihi, ut tum temporis juveni, fidem non habuit.” “Ethiopia: we made known our chorographic record to P. Vincentio Coronelli now cosmographer of Venice, who included it on his globe which Cardinal d’Estrées had made for the King of France, the largest globe ever seen. There, on the terrestrial globe, Abyssinia and the Nile are seen following our representation. Quite a long time ago we made this known to Adam Olearius, when he was making the renowned globe which may be seen at Gottorp, but he, as I was then a young man, did not have confidence in me.”[97]

Marcel, in writing of the Portuguese in Africa, observed: “Si nous examinons les cartes de Mercator, de Bertius, de Hondius, de Meursius, de Sanson, de Duval, nous y trouvons un cours du Cuama ou Zanbèsi absolument fantaisiste. Il faut arriver au fameux globe de Coronelli pour y trouver en 1683 le cours de Zambèse tracé comme sur la carte que nous reproduisons. Il est évident que ce géographe vénitien a pu consulter des documents portugais aujourd’hui perdus, cartes ou relations de voyages, qui viendraient jeter un jour infiniment précieux sur les explorations des Portugais et les relations qu’ils entretenaient avec les populations belliqueuses du bassin du Chiré.” “If we examine the maps of Mercator, of Bertius, Hondius, Meureius, Sanson, Duval, we will find the course of the Cuama or Zambesi absolutely fantastic. One must examine the famous globe of Coronelli to find in 1683 the course of the Zambesi represented as on the map which we reproduce. It is evident that the Venetian geographer had been able to consult Portuguese documents which today are lost, maps or accounts of Voyages which would throw light of great value on the explorations of the Portuguese and the relations they had with the warlike people of the basin of the Chiré.”[98]

Coronelli adorned his globe map with very artistic representations of merchant ships sailing over the ocean highways, and with elaborate pictures of many naval battles.

It was in the year 1704 that these globes were placed in the royal Château Marly,[99] where they remained until the year 1722, when they were placed in the old Palace of the Louvre. A final resting place was found for them in the Royal Library, now known as the Bibliothèque Nationale, in a room especially constructed to receive them. Recent information from the library notes that, on account of certain reconstructive work, they have been placed in an inaccessible part of the building, and cannot be photographed.

The success of this first endeavor to construct globes of large size led other Princes to entertain the thought of adorning their palaces with similar productions. It is not known, however, that the great Venetian actually set himself to the task of duplicating his French masterpieces; we have rather the assurance, as is noted below, that he thought better of a plan for issuing globes of smaller size, whose map records should contain practically all he had been able to include in his large work. The Royal Estense Library of Modena possesses a manuscript, cited by Fiorini, which assures us that Coronelli had been approached with a proposition to construct for Francis II of Modena a pair of globes equal in size to those he had prepared for the French King. This document reads: “Rispondendo il P.r̄e Cosmografo Coronelli alii di lei questiti per la fabbrica delli globi, gli dice, che il farà tanto grandi, quanta sarà la capacità della stanza, e bisognando fabbricare anco una stanza dentro del Globo, resta solo che il Principe che la desidera, habbia curiosità e volontà do spendere; limitandosi però il P. Cosmografo alia grandezza di Globi di diametro di quindici piedi, dice, che per il solo pagamento di materiali, e degli Artifici, si ricercano ducento doppie; che per delineare la Geografia, scriveri, collocarvi le stelle, ed assegnare il luogo alle figure vi vorrà di spesa quattrocento doppie. Per accomodare il luogo che sia capace per la fabrica delli Globi di questa grandezza, vi vogliono cinquanta doppie. Per gli ornamenti della Pittura, Miniatura, Scultura, et altri, si potrà fare quella spesa che parerà più propria al Principe, che desidera; mentre in questi si può o meno. E perchè il Principe conosca il genio dell’ autore in questa materia, osserverà nella picciolezza delle due mostre, ch’esibisce, confrontandole colle migliori carte, di qual perfetione e pulizia sarebbe questa di quindici piedi. Il P. Coronelli per ricompensa desidera una pensione annua sua vita durante di quella soma che parerà propria alia generosità del Principe. S’aggiunge, un quinternetto della supputazione delle stelle d’Orione, perchè il Principe osservi l’accrescimento delle stelle di questa costellazione, come sono accresciute di gran numero tutte le altro del Globo del Cielo del P. Coronelli.” “Father Coronelli, in reply to your questions regarding the construction of the globes which you say you wish to have made as large as the capacity of the room will allow, and with space in the globe itself, says that all that is necessary is to know how much his Excellency the Prince should wish to expend. However Father Coronelli limits himself to the construction of globes of fifteen feet in diameter, for which the cost of the material alone and of the workmanship is two hundred doubloons. For outlining the geographical map, for the proper placing of the stars, and the representation of the figures, the cost will be four hundred doubloons. To arrange a place for globes of this size another fifty doubloons will be necessary. For the decorations, the miniatures and engravings His Excellency can spend as much as he desires. In order that His Excellency the Prince may appreciate the great genius of the author in this matter, he will please take note of the two small globes which he exhibits, (and think) how perfect and attractive those fifteen feet in diameter will be in comparison with the best of maps. Father Coronelli desires, as compensation, an annual pension for life, such sum as His Excellency the Prince considers sufficiently generous. We enclose an account showing the representation of the stars of Orion, in order that the Prince may note the increase in the number of the stars in this constellation, and also note how all of the other constellations as represented on the globe of Father Coronelli show an increase in the number of stars.”[100] There is no evidence known that this work was actually undertaken by our Venetian globe maker, the presumption being that the matter did not receive further consideration.

As an expression of appreciation for the honors shown to him by the Academy of the Argonauts, Coronelli decided to issue his Paris globes reduced in size, choosing a diameter of three and one half feet or about 107 cm. instead of fifteen feet. His globes, therefore, of the year 1688 were the largest to date in which engraved gore maps had been employed in construction. In one of his legends he thus alludes to the Academy. “Il genio della virtù raccomanda all’eternità il nome di Cesare Cardinale eminentissimo d’Estrées, Duca e Pari Francia, mentre fece elaborare per Ludovico il Magno dal P. Coronelli due gran Globi l’idea dei quali ha poi epilogata in questi per l’Accademia cosmografica degli Argonauti. L’anno MDCLXXXVIII.” “The genius of virtue commends to posterity the name of Cesar, most eminent Cardinal d’Estrées, Duke and Peer of France, since he had constructed for Louis the Great by P. Coronelli two large globes, the idea of which he then summarized herewith for the Cosmographical Academy of the Argonauts. In the year 1688.” The dedication, the same as that on the celestial globe, reads as follows: “Alla Serenissima Republica e Serinissimo Principe Francesco Morosini Doge di Venezia Capitan Gen: de Mare. Vincenzo Coronelli M. C. Suddito Cosmografo e Lettore publico.” “To the Most Serene Republic and the Most Serene Prince Francesco Morosini, Doge of Venice, Captain General of the Sea, by Vincenzo Coronelli M. C., the above mentioned cosmographer and public reader.” Placed below this legend in a cartouch containing the portrait of the author is the inscription “P. V. Coronelli M. C. Cosmografo Publico.” There is an inscription on the celestial globe which reads, “Si presentano a V. Serenità li Globi del Mondo, Teatro delle cospicue attioni de’ Principi, perchè mentre corre il terzo decimo secolo (ch’è quasi la quarta parte della vita d’esso) ne’ quali la Serenissima Republica agisse ugualmente e collo splendore delle lettre e col luminoso dell’armi, Vede l’Universale delle genti col mezzo di Stampa così reguardevole sin dove si vada sempre più estendendo la gloria del Veneto Nome. Quella che se ne assume l’Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti nella presente dedicazione e chi vive di V. V. Coronelli Cosmografo della medesima.” “There are hereby presented to Your Serene Highness these globes of the world, the scene of the remarkable deeds of Princes, in order that while the thirteenth century is passing (which makes nearly a fourth part of the life of the world) wherein the Most Serene Republic has proceeded equally with the splendor of letters and the brilliancy of arms may be seen by the universality of the races; by means of this so important publication however there is more widely spread the glory of the Venetian name; of which glory a portion is assumed by the Cosmographical Academy of the Argonauts, in the present dedication, and by him who lives by our permission, Coronelli, Cosmographer of the same.”

The author selected the year 1700 as that in which to indicate the position of the stars which he represented on his globe, referring to this fact in his legend. “L’epoca di questo globo è perfissa nell’anno futuro 1700 acciocchè l’arte in quest’ opera precorra quel tempo che per natura dovrà consumarla. Prevenendo questo globo tardo il Corso veloce del Cielo, comparisce presente il secolo venturo acciò possi ognuno con ordine più facile ridurre agli anni scorsi le stelle fisse colla sottrazione di 51 secondi come piace a Ticone, o 50 seguendo il parere del Ricciolo. Volendo specolare il sistema degli anni anco posteriore all’epoca stabilita, aggiungasi proporzionalmente al 1700 che seguirà la riduttione senza errore sensibile per tutto lo spazio di 400 anni.” “The epoch of this globe is fixed for the year 1700, in order that the labor in its construction may have the time which naturally will be required for its completion. As this belated globe anticipates the rapid movement of the sky, the coming century appears as though present, anyone may be able in easier fashion to change to past years the fixed stars, by the subtraction of fifty-one seconds as Tycho reckons, or fifty according to the opinion of Ricciola. If one desires to speculate also upon the system of the years posterior to the established epoch, let him add proportionally to 1700, and the change will follow without sensible error for the entire period of 400 years.”

To the constellations he makes the following reference: “Furono osservate molte stelle in vicinanza del Polo antartico incognite non solo agli Egizij e Greci, ma ancora a Ticone Brahe. Osservò parimente Federico Houtmano, nell’Isola Sumatra, molte stelle vicine al Polo medesimo, le quali essendo state incognite agli accinnati autori, le ridussero in 13 costellazioni cioè Fenice Colomb Mosca, Pesce volante, Camaleonte, Triangolo Australe, Uccello Indiano, Pavone, l’Uomo Indiano, la Gru, il Toucan, l’Hindro e il dorado; altri dopo v’hanno aggiunto la Nube Grande, la Picciola e la Romboide. Noi abbiamo arricchito questo Globo d’un maggior numero di stelle, scoperte dall’ Hallei Inglese, che si trasportò a tal effetto nell’Isola S. Elena, coll’aggiunta d’altre osservatione, così do questo come d’altri scritton.” “There have been observed many stars in the vicinity of the Antarctic pole, unknown not only to the Egyptians and Greeks, but also to Tycho Brahe. There have been observed likewise by Frederick Houtmann, on the Island of Sumatra, many stars near the same pole which having been unknown to the above-mentioned authors, they reduced to 13 constellations, namely the Phoenix, the Dove, the Fly, the Flying Fish, the Chameleon, the Southern Triangle, the Indian Bird, the Peacock, the Indian Man, the Crane, the Toucan, the Water-Snake, and the Goldfish; others since then have been added to these, the Greater Cloud and the Lesser, and the Rhomboid. We have enriched this globe with a considerable number of stars discovered by the Englishman Halley, who was sent to the Island of St. Helena for this purpose, with the addition of other observations as they have written.”

Thirty-eight constellations are designated in the northern hemisphere, twelve in the zodiac, and thirty-three in the southern hemisphere, thus adding thirty-five to the number as given by Ptolemy. Instead of Ptolemy’s 1022 catalogued stars, including fifteen of the first magnitude, forty-five of the second, two hundred and eight of the third, four hundred and seventy-four of the fourth, two hundred and seventeen of the fifth, forty-nine of the sixth, and forty which were nebular and indistinct, Coronelli gives the number as 1902, including eighteen of the first, sixty-eight of the second, two hundred and thirty-seven of the third, four hundred and ninety-six of the fourth, four hundred and eighty-nine of the fifth, five hundred and sixteen of the sixth, and seventy-eight which were nebular and indistinct. Five of the latter, having been discovered in the previous one hundred and twenty-five years, had wholly or in part disappeared in Coronelli’s day, of which, that making its appearance in the constellation Cassiopeia in the year 1572 disappeared in the year 1574, that discovered in the year 1596 in the Whale was rapidly diminishing in size, that discovered by Tycho Brahe in the Swan in the year 1600 ceased to be visible in the year 1629 to reappear in the year 1659, that in the Serpent larger than the planet Jupiter which was visible but thirteen months, that in the head of the Swan discovered in the year 1670 and still visible.

Coronelli seems to have made every endeavor to produce maps for his terrestrial globes which should omit nothing of real interest and value to geographers, navigators, and explorers. He added a rather unusual number of legends, explanatory and informative in character, but never seemed to crowd the space which he had at his disposal. So exquisitely engraved were his maps that he was able to avoid the appearance of confusion noticeable on certain other globes of his century, as, for example, in the Old World parts of Blaeu’s globe of 1622. It is very evident that many pages would be required for anything like a detailed description of his records, and the great majority must necessarily be omitted. To those quoted above a few, however, may be added.

Blaeu’s reference to the prime meridian was cited in full as was that of Moroncelli; Coronelli’s reference is here likewise cited, which, it will be noted, is not without errors. It is one having to do with problems concerning the determination of longitude, hence involving interests of vital concern to navigation. “Del primo meridiano. Sono in questo 72 meridiani, 36 con linee continuate, le altre sono di punti, da ciascuno dei quali è diviso in G. 5 di longitudine che è il corso del Sole in un terzo d’oro. Li Geografi antichi e moderni non convengono nel luogo dove passa il primo meridiano; tra li primi Eratostene l’ha posto alle Colonne d’Hercole, Marino di Tyr all’Isole Fortunate, Tolomeo nella sua Geografia ha seguito la stessa opinione; ma ne’ suoi libri di Astronomia l’ ha passato per Alessandria d’Egitto. Tra li moderni Ismaele Abulfeda lo segna a Cadiz, Alfonzo a Toledo, Pigafetta et Herrera hanno fatto il medisimo; Copernico lo pone a Freudenburgo; Renoldo a Monte Reale o Konisberg; Keplero a Uraniburgo; Longo Montano a Kopenhagen; Lansbergius a Goes; Ricciolo a Bologna. Gli Atlanti di Jansonio e di Blaeu a Monte Pico. Per continuare l’origine della mia Geografia ho posto in questo Globo il primo meridiano nella parte più occidentale della Isola di Ferro, com’onche per seguire il Decreto di Luigi XIII, che col consiglio de’ Geog. nel 1634 lo determinò in questo stesso luogo.” “Concerning the first meridian. There are represented on this 72 meridians, 36 with continuous lines—the others are marked,—by each of which it is divided into 5 degrees of longitude, which is the course of the sun in one third of an hour. The ancient and modern geographers do not agree upon the place through which the first meridian passes: among the former, Eratosthenes put it at the Pillars of Hercules; Marinus of Tyre at the Canary Islands; Ptolemy in his geography has followed the same opinion, but in his books on astronomy he has located it as running through Alexandria in Egypt. Among the moderns, Ismail Aboulfeda puts it at Cadiz; Alfonso at Toledo; Pigafetta and Herrera have done the same; Copernicus puts it at Freudenberg; Reinhold at Mount Royal (Königsberg); Kepler at Uranienburg; Longomontanus at Copenhagen; Lansberg at Goa; Ricciola at Bologna; the atlases of Jansson and Blaeu at Mount Pico. To continue the precedent of my geography I have on this globe placed the first meridian in the most western part of the Island of Ferro,—as also to follow the decree of Louis XIII, who on the advice of the geographers in 1634 assigned it to this same place.” California he lays down as an island, west of which is a legend relating to “Nuova Albione,” and north in the Pacific one relating to “Stretto di Anian.” There is reference to the route to Goa, which is placed near the Island of Madagascar. The reference to the Zambesi River clearly gives evidence of acquaintance with Portuguese records of which we have no other knowledge. This legend reads, “Rio Zambese: Città e fortezza di Tete de Portugal; Fortezza di S. Estevao; Minere di Ferro; Minere d’argento che il Re di Monom. promise al Re di Spagna nel 1604; Fortezza di Chicova.” “Zambesi River: City and fortress of Tete of Portugal; fortress of S. Estevao; iron mines; silver mines which the King of Monomotapa promised to the King of Spain in 1604; fortress of Chicova.” Like the other leading map makers of the period he has indicated the course of certain transoceanic expeditions, occasionally noting the distance sailed on each successive day, with other valuable and interesting information relating to the position of the sun and the moon, to atmospheric conditions, to the appearance of sea birds and of certain marine animals.

Globes of this 1688 edition may be found in the Biblioteca Comunale of Fano; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Faenza; in the Königliche Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon of Dresden, celestial undated; in the Biblioteca Civico of Bergamo; in the Biblioteca Gonzaga of Mantua; in the Biblioteca Marciana of Venice (Figs. [112], [113]); in the Museo Civico of Venice; in the Biblioteca Universitario of Naples; in the Palazzo Manin of Passeriano. The twelve gores of the terrestrial globe may be found in the British Museum; a fine copy of the twelve gores may also be found in the Library of Congress, Washington; a copy of the mounted terrestrial globe belongs to the Biblioteca Emanuele of Rome; three copies of this globe in addition to the pair referred to above belong to the Museo Civico of Venice.

Fig. 112. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1688.

Fig. 113. Celestial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1688.

It appears that Coronelli’s terrestrial globe gores of the year 1688, which were frequently reissued, were but little altered in the several editions. His celestial globe in successive issues seems to have been much altered. France had specially honored the Venetian globe maker in giving to him every facility for the production of his great masterpieces, the Marly globes. The Société Gallica of Paris decided, in the year 1693, to add to his honors, and to give expression to an appreciation of his merits through the publication of a new edition of his globes, at least of the celestial, the Venetian terrestrial of 1688 being made to serve as a companion. In the following legend we have information concerning the date, and concerning the participants in its preparation: “Orbis coelesti typus. Opus a Coronelli Serenissimae Reipublicae Cosmographo inchoatum Societatis Gallicae sumptibus absolutum, Lutetiae Parisiorum. Anno N. S. MDCXCIII. Delin. Arnoldus Deuvez Regiae Acad. Pictor; Sculp. I. B. Nolin Reg. Chr. Calcographus.” “Representation of a celestial globe. A work begun by Coronelli, the cosmographer of the Venetian Republic; finished at the expense of the French Society at Paris in the year 1693. Drawn by Arnold Deuvez painter of the Royal Academy; I. B. Nolin Royal Cartographer, draughtsman.”

The Parisian Society did not find it necessary to substitute the French language in the legends for the language of the author, as appears in the address to the reader, which of course is not Coronelli phrasing. “Amico lettore. Rappresenta questa Globo le Costellazioni del Firmamento, quali agli occhi nostri compariscono e non come negli altri esposte, poichè nel centro loro bisogna immaginarsi d’essore per intenderle. Le stelle d’esso calcolate all’Epoca 1700 sono pubblicati. Quelle comprese dalle Costellazioni di Baiero, come le più cognite, perchè con maggiore facilità si possino colle nostre confrontare, sono accompagnate cogli caratteri greci e latini da es so usati. Le stelle, ch’ appresso Baiero, restano informi, sono, da noi segnate di giallo; le Nuove colorite di minio; le osservate dal P. Antelmo di verde, quelle dell’ Hallei di pavonazzo, l’altre di Hevelio di lacca; le corrette da Baiero di Cinabro, e l’osservazioni fatte dagli altri autori si distinguono nel nostro Epitome Cosmografico, stampato in Venetia nel 1693. In questo pure vengono dilucidati gli Numeri, Caratteri, le Frezze, che passano diametralmente per le stelle, la loro Obliquità, Lunghezza, l’Acume, gli Pianeti che l’accompagnano; il moto diario delle Comete, disegnate di molti secoli, ed ogni altro perticolare che per l’angustia del sito non è permesso esprimere senza il di cui libra non possono avere uso gli Globi presenti che pure restano descritti nel nostro Atlante Veneto non però così diffusamente.” “Dear reader. This globe represents the constellations of the firmament as they appear to our eyes and not as shown by others, since it is necessary to imagine that one is in their center in order to conceive them. The stars of the globe are represented as calculated for the year 1700. Those included in the constellations of Bayer, as the best known, in order that they, with greater ease may be compared with ours, are designated by the Greek and Latin characters used by him. Stars, which according to Bayer remain undetermined, are indicated by us as yellow; the new ones colored with red; those observed by P. Antelmo, with green, those of Halley with violet, the others of Hevelius with lake color; the stars corrected by Bayer with cinnabar; and the observations made by other authors are distinguished in our Cosmographical Epitome, printed in Venice in 1693. In this also are elucidated the numbers, characters, the lines that pass diametrically through the stars, their obliquity, length, extremity, the planets that accompany them, the daily movement of the comets, traced for many centuries, and every other particular which because of the limitations of space it is not here permitted to express,—without which book it is not possible to make use of the present globes, which are also described in our Venetian Atlas, but not so detailed.”

Pairs of his globes are very numerous which include the terrestrial of the year 1688, now and then with some modifications, and the celestial of the year 1693, these being usually, but not in all instances dated, the latter being the Paris issue or apparently a slightly modified Venetian edition of the same. It must be admitted that it is not easy to classify the copies of his globes which followed his first issue of the year 1688, but which have the same dimensions. In not a few of these provision was made for a special dedication, the cartouch for such dedication being often left blank, to be filled when occasion seemed to offer for the bestowal of the special honor. Some of these globes containing such special dedication are known, to which reference is made below.

Examples of Coronelli’s work belonging to this group may be found in the following libraries or museums: In the Landesmuseum of Zürich (Fig. [114]); in the Seminario Vescovile of Aversa; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Bologna; in the Archivo di Stato of Bologna; in the Biblioteca Privato of Professor Liuzzi of Bologna; in the Convento dell’ Osservanza of Bologna; in the Museo di Strumenti Antichi of Florence; in the Museo Civico of Genoa; a copy of the celestial in the British Museum of London; in the Biblioteca Brancacciana of Naples; in the Biblioteca Nazionale of Naples; in the Biblioteca Nazionale of Palermo; in the Biblioteca Antoniana of Padua; in the Bibliothèque Nationale of Paris; in the Biblioteca Classense of Ravenna; in the Biblioteca Lancisiana of Rome; in the Accademia delle Scienze of Turin; in the Seminario Patriarcale of Venice; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Vicenza; of the terrestrial in the Royal Library of Madrid. The Vicenza examples, also those in the Archivo di Stato of Bologna and in the Biblioteca Nazionale of Palermo, are dedicated to the “Eminentissimo e reverendissimo Principe” Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. The interesting brief legend, reading “Alexander a Via Veronensis sculpsit” on the celestial globe, gives us clearly to understand that there were Venetian issues of that edition which made its first appearance in Paris under the auspices of the Société Gallica. The gores of this issue Coronelli printed in his ‘Atlante Veneto,’ Volume XI.

Fig. 114. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1688.

In the year 1696 Coronelli made an extensive European tour which carried him as far as England, an account of which he published in Venice in the following year under the title ‘Viaggio de Venezia fino in Inghilterra.’ In this work the author describes an edition of his globes which he referred to as having a diameter of “un piede e mezzo,” or about 48 cm., prepared in London and dedicated to the English King William III, of which it has been possible to locate several examples. A particularly fine copy of the terrestrial may be found in the collection of The Hispanic Society of America (Fig. [115]), agreeing in all its details with the other copies, in so far, at least, as the information obtained seems to indicate. In an elaborately decorated cartouch near the south polar region is the dedicatory inscription, reading “Globum hujusmodi Terraqueum Guglielmo invictissimo ac potentissimo Magnae Britaniae etc. Regi Dicat, Vocat. consecrat. Pater, Magister Vincentius Coronelli Mon. Con. S. Francisci Serenissimae Venetorum Reipublicae Cosmographus MDCLXXXXVI. Londini.” “This terrestrial globe, Father and Master Vincentio Coronelli, Brother of the Franciscan Order and Cosmographer of the Venetian Republic, dedicates, names and consecrates to William III, the Invincible and Mighty King of Great Britain.” Not far from the above is a somewhat elaborate representation of the king’s coat of arms with the motto “Hony soit qui mal y pense. Je maintienderay.” Its mounting consists of a narrow graduated meridian circle of wood which is made to pass, in the usual manner, through a horizon circle of wood, the outer edge of which is octagonal. The upper surface of this horizon circle is covered with an engraved horizon sheet giving within concentric circles the names of the zodiacal constellations, names of the months with the names of the prominent saints, the names of the principal winds, and of the principal directions in Italian. It has a supporting base of four artistically turned columns with binding crossbars extending from each post to a central circular plate 17 cm. in diameter, carrying the post through a slot in which the meridian circle is made to pass. The north pole is topped with a thin pasteboard hour circle and pointer. The globe map is composed of twelve gores which are truncated in latitude 80 degrees both north and south, the polar spaces being covered with circular discs, and are cut on the line of the equator. The sphere is exceedingly light in weight, being composed of papier-mâché. In every particular the globe is one remarkably well preserved, and is one of the finest examples of early globe making in the society’s collection.

Fig. 115. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1696.

Fig. 115a. Terrestrial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1693.

Fig. 115b. Celestial Globe of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, 1693.

In geographical names the map records are very full, these being given either in Italian, Spanish, Latin, Dutch, English, or in the native language of the country in which they appear. Curiously enough in many instances the author appears to give his own peculiar spelling, approaching therein, to the best of his ability, the spelling suggested by the pronunciation of the several names. Legends are exceedingly numerous, many of them recording incidents relating to certain expeditions or to certain discoveries, such as the expedition of Magellan; early expeditions along the west coast of North America, including reference to Cortes, Ulloa, Alarçon, Cabrillo, Guzman, Drake; expeditions to the East Indies, including that of Le Maire, Hoorn, Van Diemen, Chaumont, and others. Boundary lines of local regions, in both the Old and the New World are exceedingly numerous, which fact in itself gives a somewhat unique value to the map as of geographical and historical value. California appears as an island, and a great stretch of ocean appears between northwest North America and northeast Asia wherein is located land with indefinite outline marked, “Terra de Jesso ó Jeco, Yedco, Esso et Sesso Scoperta dagli Hollandesi l’anno 1643.” The map of North America is particularly of interest and value, especially for the region of the United States.

Pictures of ships sailing the ocean, those of the oriental peoples as well as those of the occidental are numerous, as are also pictures representing seal fishing, and pictures representing the methods of capturing polar bears and whales. It is interesting to note that loxodromic lines or sailing lines have disappeared from such maps, that the map and the chart are here seen to merge.

The celestial globe of this edition has practically the same dedication as the terrestrial, the word “Terraqueum” alone being changed to “Coelestem.” There is on this the following address: “Amico Lettore. Oltre ai molti Globi delineati dal P. Cosmografo Coronelli per Sovrani diversi di varie e vaste misure, ne ha ultimamente composti e stampati di cinque grandezze a pubblico beneficio, fra i quali i più comodi ed esatti sono i presenti. I numeri che accompagnano le stelle calcolate all’epoca del 1700; così l’altre notizie, ad uso dei medesimi Globi, vengono nel suo Epitome Cosmografico diffusamente spiegati.” “Dear reader. Besides the many globes delineated by the cosmographer P. Coronelli, for divers Sovereigns, he has recently composed and printed some in five sizes for the use of the public, among which the most convenient and exact are the present ones. The numbers that accompany the stars are calculated for the epoch 1700; moreover the other particulars for the use of these same globes are extensively developed in his Epitome Cosmografico.”

In the reference to the several constellations there is repeated, with but slight alteration, the statements made on his larger globes, the position of the fixed stars being referred to the year 1700.

Examples of the 1696 edition of Coronelli’s globes may be found in the Seminario Vescovile of Finale; in the Biblioteca Franzoniana of Genoa; in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of Nürnberg; in the Biblioteca Comunale of Perugia; in the Museo Civico of Trieste; a copy of the terrestrial in the Biblioteca Nazionale of Florence, and one in the Certosa of Pisa; the unmounted gores of the celestial in the Museo Astronomico of Rome.

The globes of the year 1696 were reissued in the year 1699, with certain unimportant alterations. It may be noted that as in certain copies of the 1693 edition the cartouch designed for a dedicatory inscription was left blank, that the author might insert the name of the recipient whom he might choose to honor. So in his globes of the year 1699 he left a like blank space, but in the terrestrial globe he inscribed what he evidently felt he should want to insert in each instance—a dedication in blank, as it were, reading “D. D. D. Pater Magister Vincentius Coronelli Mon: Con: Francisci Serenissimae Venetorum Reipublicae Cosmographus MDCLXXXXIX.” One example has been located in which the name of the honored individual has been inserted, reading, in addition to the author and date as above, “Illustrissimo et Praexcelso Nobili Viro D. D. Comiti Aloysio Paoluccio Militiae Sanctae Apostolicae Sedis in Piceno Praefecto,” this copy being in the Biblioteca Privato of Sr. Remigio Salotti of Modena. Copies of each of the 1699 issue may also be found in the Biblioteca Marucelliana of Florence; in the Biblioteca Vittorio Emanuele of Rome; in the Biblioteca of the Marquis Piero Bargagli of Rome; a copy of the terrestrial in the Museo Astronomico of Rome, a copy of the same in the Biblioteca Nazionale of Florence, and a copy in the Certosa of Pisa.

In one of his own publications issued in Venice in the year 1697 Coronelli tells us of an edition of his celestial globe which he was preparing.[101] He announces “To the Public” that the large celestial globe, three and one half feet in diameter, which he was then having reëngraved and which would exhibit all of the artistic features of the Paris edition of 1693, would be one of superior excellence. He adds that the many corrections and additions, as the parts already completed clearly indicate, would make it one very exact, and its completion was promised before the end of the year 1698. This celestial globe was issued in Venice in the year 1699, edited, according to an inscribed legend, by Coronelli and the Academy of the Argonauts. We cannot with certainty locate a copy of this globe. Perhaps it may be found in one of the undated examples, now known, of the size designated.

The Abbot Gimma, to whom reference has been made, informs us that Coronelli constructed other globes, the same having diameters respectively six, four, and two inches, and in the ‘Epitome Cosmografica’ of the author, under the paragraph heading, “Opere stampate dal Padre Coronelli,” we read that he constructed celestial and terrestrial globes three inches in diameter for the pocket. In Volume X of the ‘Atlanta Veneto,’ under the title “Globi del Coronelli,” the gores of these globes are reproduced, and from these reprints we are able to get certain information concerning them. But one pair of his six-inch globes has been located and none of the smaller size, this one pair being the unmounted gores, twelve in number for each globe, to be found in the British Museum. The terrestrial has the following dedication: “Hos Globos Terraqueum ac Coelestem dicat et donat R. m̄o P. D. Sigismundo Pollitio a Placentia Praeposito Generali Monarchorum Ermitorum S. Hyeronimi Congreg. Lombardiae P. M. Coronelli Cosmographus P.” “These globes, a terrestrial and a celestial P. M. Coronelli gives and dedicates to the Rev. P. D. Sigismund Pollitus head of the congregation of Hermit Monks of St. Jerome of Lombardy. At Placentia.” And the celestial has the following, “R. m̄o P. D. Sigismundo Pollitio Praep. Generali Mon. Erem. S. Hyeron.” “To the Rev. P. D. Sigismund Pollitus. General of the Hermit Monks of St. Jerome.” Three other inscriptions of the celestial globe read respectively “Auct. P. Vincentius Coronelli Cosmog. Publ.,” “Stellae supput. fuerunt ad annum 1700,” and “Venetiis. In Academiae Cosmog. Argon.”

Fiorini makes brief mention of a rather remarkable armillary sphere, cut out of a solid block of alabaster, now belonging to the Museo Civico of Siena.[102] It is neither signed nor dated, but was probably constructed toward the close of the seventeenth century.

It has two meridian circles, circles representing the tropics whose outer circumference is 66 cm., polar circles having a circumference of 21 cm., and circles representing the solstitial colures and the equator, the latter having an outer circumference of 72 cm. All circles are graduated, but in the case of the polar circles the numbers of the degrees are not marked. In addition to the above-mentioned circles, there is one representing the zodiac which is exceedingly heavy, on which have been cut the signs of the several constellations and the names of the months.

This assemblage of armillae is adjusted to revolve within a brass circle, the whole resting upon a base of alabaster. At the common center is a small ball mounted on a metallic rod which passes through the poles of the circles. This small terrestrial sphere has a diameter of 8 cm., and around it are two small circles probably intended to represent the path of the moon and of the planet Mercury.

Word has been received of another armillary sphere of about 1700, though undated, constructed by Vitale Giordani (1633-1711), a mathematician of some note in his day. This sphere belongs to the Biblioteca Lancisiana of Rome, which, as noted above, possesses one by Barocci of the year 1570.[103]

The idea of constructing large manuscript globes, such as were those of Benci and of Moroncelli, was taken up by Giuseppe Scarabelli of Mirandola, who appears to have won special distinction in his day as an engineer.[104] Although the large globes, terrestrial and celestial, three braccia (ca. 200 cm.) in diameter, which he is known to have made, assisted by his son Massimo, cannot now be located, we are told that they were of such size and quality that their equal could not be found “in Milan, in Venice, or in Rome.”

In what has been stated above concerning globe makers of Italy in the late seventeenth century and the early eighteenth, it has been noted that a number of those most prominent were members of some one or other of the many monastic orders. Benci and Moroncelli were of the Silvestrin Congregation; Coronelli was a Minorite, being honored with an election to the office of General of the Franciscan Order. It was in the late seventeenth century that Giovanni Battista da Cassine,[105] a Capuchin monk, began to achieve distinction as a map and globe maker, in particular, however, through the maps he drafted of the various provinces of his order which he described in his ‘Descrizione cosmografica della Provincie e dei Conventi de FF: Min. Cappuccini di S. Francesco.’[106] He was a native of Cassine in the district of Alessandria, and entered in early life into the Convent of the Immaculata Concezzione of Milan. He tells us, in his introduction to his work noted above, that he constructed two globes for the library of his convent in Milan, a terrestrial and a celestial, adding, “Quondam aedificabam, simul et delineabam pro Bibliotheca nostra Immacolatae Conceptionis duos satis grandes Globos nimirum coelestem unum, terrestrem alium.” “I once designed and constructed for our library of the Immaculate Conception, two large globes, one a terrestrial, the other a celestial.” We do not know the exact date of the construction of these globes, but it probably was near 1700.[107] It is further probable that these globes were examples of Italy’s best productions within this field. They, however, cannot now be located, having disappeared at the time of the dissolution of the convent in the year 1810.

George Christopher Eimmart (1638-1705), a native of Ravensburg, was one of Germany’s most famous mathematicians of the seventeenth century.[108] He is reported to have been for some time associated with Erhard Weigel in the University of Jena, where he won distinction for himself in his mathematical and law studies. It was about the year 1658, after the death of his father, that he became especially interested in the art of copper engraving, and in the year 1660 he established himself in this business in the city of Nürnberg. The study of mathematics, however, continued to interest him, and we soon find him giving especial attention to astronomical science, to the construction of astronomical instruments, such as quadrants, sextants, telescopes, astronomical clocks, and celestial spheres. In one of the fortifications of the city he erected a small observatory, in which he carried on his astronomical studies, evincing, as the months passed, much interest in giving practical instruction to many of the young students of the city, among whom may be named Johannes Philipp Würzelbauer, who later was ennobled by Emperor Leopold on account of his scientific attainments, and who at the time of the reception of this honor changed his name to Wurzelbau. Eimmart counted among his friends, with whom he was in constant communication, Leibnitz, Cassini, La Hire, Flamsteed, Hevel, and others. His correspondence with these distinguished men of science, together with his numerous papers relating to his mathematical and astronomical studies, are still preserved in manuscript, filling no less than fifty-seven volumes.[109] In the year 1695 he published a description of an armillary sphere which he had constructed to represent the Copernican system, but this cannot now be located.[110] In the year 1705, the year of his death, he issued a pair of globes, an example of each being now kept in the Museo Astronomico of Rome. These spheres of papier-mâché, each having a diameter of about 30 cm., are supplied each with a base of wood, consisting of four turned columns, which support a horizon circle of wood, on which are the usual engraved concentric circles bearing respectively the names of the principal directions or winds, the names of the zodiacal constellations, with their respective figures, the names of the principal festivals, and names of the saints. They are made to revolve within a graduated meridian circle which is adjusted to move within the horizon circle. The globe balls are covered with engraved gore maps, each consisting of twelve sections cut at the equatorial line and in latitude 80 degrees, the polar areas being covered with a circular disc, having the necessary radius of ten degrees.

On the terrestrial globe we find the following author and date legend: “Cum geographica Orbis Terrarum descriptio secundum long. et lat. non nisi vel per peregrinationes marittimas vel observationes coelestes emendatior in dies prodeat, istud autem per experimenta propria (quo ad exiguam saltem partem) perfecisse, e’ mille, vix uni contigat; Oportuit nos Recentiorum accuratissimis observationibus insistore et quatenus cum veritate congruant vel discrepent exactiori tuo judicio relinquest. Nos eadem loca bona fide, nihil immutantes, prout ab auctoribus novissimis accepimus usui tuo exhibibemus. Norimbergae apud G. C. Eimmartum A^o Christi 1705.” “Since the geographical description of the earth according to latitude and longitude, both by maritime voyages and by celestial observations becomes more accurate day by day, it happens to scarcely any one man to perfect (a globe) by his own observations for these can be partial only. Therefore it behooves us to make use of the most accurate modern observations. In so far as they agree with the truth or depart from it it is left for you with your more exact judgment to decide. We, for our part, exhibit for your use the places in all good faith, as we have received them from the latest authorities and have changed nothing. Nürnberg. By G. C. Eimmart, 1705.”

Meridians and parallels are represented at intervals of five degrees, the ecliptic and the equator being graduated. Compass roses are numerous, from which radiate numerous loxodromic lines. The several compass roses are located on the equator, and at latitude 35 degrees and 70 degrees both north and south, where these parallels are crossed by the prime meridian and the meridians of 90 degrees, of 180 degrees, and of 270 degrees.

In the southern hemisphere of the celestial globe is the following inscription: “Loca stellarum coelesti huic Globo insertarum a Jo. Hevelio astronomo insigni ad ann. 1700 complet. sum̄o studio ac diuturnis vigiliis restituta sunt; quae in hujusmodi Typum ad perpetuam Coeli conformitatem juxta modum quem Problema inferius adjectum praescribit noviter redacta a G. C. Eimmarto.” “The position of the stars inscribed on this celestial globe were determined by J. Hevelius, renowned astronomer, and completed to the year 1700 through deep study and nightly vigils. And these observations on this globe are made perpetually to conform, according to the method which is described below, and these have been revised by G. C. Eimmart.”

Attention is called to the stars of the various magnitudes up to the seventh by an appropriate illustration of each placed in a small but artistically designed wreath. Latin names are given to the several constellations and to a number of the individual stars, though one finds an occasional Arabic name. Among the several constellations one notes certain modern names such as “Scutum Subiescianum.”

In addition to the pair referred to above, a copy of the celestial globe may be found in the Biblioteca Civico of Bergamo.

Joseph Moxon (1627-1700) (Fig. [116]) was an English mathematician and hydrographer of great distinction.[111] His earliest business, dating from about 1655, was that of a maker and vender of mathematical instruments, but he later turned his attention toward the designing of letters and the making of printing types, achieving, for his work in this field, a very remarkable reputation. It was in his early years, when especially interested in making mathematical instruments in his shop in Russell Street, at “The Sign of the Atlas,” that his thought was turned toward geography, astronomy, and navigation; at any rate, he published in the year 1657 an edition of Edward Wright’s ‘Certain errors in navigation detected and corrected.’[112] In 1659 he published in London the first edition of his important work which he called ‘A Tutor to Astronomy and Geography, or an easie and speedy way to know the Use of both the Globes, Celestial and Terrestrial.’ This work, frequently reissued during his lifetime, was followed at intervals by a number of publications chiefly relating to the art of printing.[113] As to the importance he attached to his own knowledge of globes, he states on the title-page of his book on their uses that he explains therein “More fully and amply than hath yet been set forth, either by Gemma Frisius, Metius, Hues, Wright, Blaeu, or any others that have taught the Use of the Globes: and that so Plainly and Methodically, that the meanest Capacity may at first Reading apprehend it, and with a little Practice grow expert in these Divine Sciences.” In his address “To the Reader,” appearing as an introduction to this same work, he gives us further word not only concerning his own globes, but an interesting insight into what a globe maker of that time conceived as essential points to be noted when directing attention to his own special work. Though somewhat lengthy, it is here quoted as an interesting early statement. He observes in his introductory paragraph that he is writing not “to expert Practitioners but to Learners; to whom Examples may prove more Instructive than Precepts.

Fig. 116. Portrait of Joseph Moxon.

“Besides,” he states, “I hope to encourage those by an ample liberal plainness to fall in love with the Studies, that formerly have been disheartened by the Crabbed brevity of those Authors that have in Characters as it were rather writ Notes for their own Memories, than sufficient Documents for their Readers Instructions.

“The Globes for which this Book is written are new Globes that I set forth, which as I told you in my Epistle to the Reader of Blaws Book differ somewhat from other Globes; and that both the Celestial and the Terrestrial; mine being the latest done of any, and to the accomplishing of which, I have not only had the help of all or most of the best of other Globes, Maps, Plates, and Sea-drafts of New discoveries that were then extant for the Terrestrial Globe, but also the Advice and directions of divers able Mathematicians both in England and Holland for Tables and Calculations both of Lines and Stars for the Celestial; upon which globe I have placed every Star that was observed by Tycho Brahe and other Observers, one degree of Longitude farther in the Ecliptick than they are on any other Globes: so that whereas on other Globes the places of the Stars were correspondent with their places in Heaven 69 Years ago, when Tycho observed them, and therefore according to his Rule want almost a degree of their true places in Heaven at this Time: I have set every Star one degree farther in the Ecliptick, and rectified them on the Globe according to the true place they had in Heaven in the Year 1671.

“On the Terrestrial Globe I have inserted all the New Discoveries that have been made, either by our own Forraign Navigators, and that bothe in the East, West, North, and South parts of the Earth. In the East Indies we have in the latter Times many spacious places discovered, many Islands inserted, and generally the whole Draught of the Country rectified and amended, even to the Coast of China, Japan, Giloli &c. In the South Sea between the East and West Indies are scattered many Islands, which for the uncertain knowledge former Times had of them are either wholly left out of other Globes, or else laid down so erroneously that little of credit can be attributed unto them. California is found to be an Island, though formerly supposed to be part of the main Continent, whose North-West shoar was imagined to thrust itself forth close to the Coasts of Cathaio, and so make the supposed Straights of Anian. The Western Shoars of the West Indies are more accurately described than formerly, as you may see if you compare my Terrestrial Globe: that I have lately set forth with the Journals of the latest Navigators: And if you compare them with other Globes you will find 5, 6, yea 7 degrees difference in Longitude in most Places of these Coasts. Magellanica which heretofore was thought to be part of the South Continent called Terra Incognita is now also found to be an Island. All that Tract of Land called Terra Incognita I have purposely omitted, because as yet we have no certainty whether it be Land or Sea; unless it be of some parts lately found out by the Dutch, who having a convenient Port at Batavia in Java, have from there sent forth Ships Southward, where they have found several very large countries; one whereof they have called Hollandia Nova, another Zelandia Nova, another Anthoni van Diemans Land; and divers others; some whereof lie near our Antipodes; as you may see by my terrestrial Globes. Again, Far to the Northwards there are some New Discoveries, even within six degrees of the Pole: The Drafts to the North Eastwards I have laid down even as they were described by the Searchers of those parts for a passage into the East Indies. And also the Discoveries of Baffin, Captain James, and Capt. Fox (our own Country-men) that attempted the finding a passage that way into the South Sea.

“I also told you what difference there is in several Authors about placing the first Meridian, which is the beginning of Longitude; that Ptolemy placed it at the Fortunate Islands, which Mr. Hues pag. 4. chap. 1. in his Treatise of Globes proves to be the Islands of Cabo Verde, and not those now called the Canary Islands; because in his Time they were the farthest place of the Discovered World towards the setting of the Sun; Others placed it at Pico in Teneriffa; Others at Corvus and Flora; because under that Meridian the Compass had no Variation, but did then duly respect the North and South; Others for the same Reason begin their Longitude at St. Michaels; and Others between the Islands of Flores and Fayal: And the Spaniards of late by reason of their great Negotiation in the West Indies, have begun their Longitude at Toledo there, and contrary to all others account it Westwards.

“Therefore I, seeing such diversity among all Nations, and as yet an Uniformity at home, chose with our own Country-men to place my First Meridian at the Ile Gratiosa, one of the Iles of Azores.

“By the different placing of this first Meridian it comes to pass that the Longitude of Places are diversely set down in different Tables; For those Globes or Maps that have their first Meridian placed to the Eastwards of Gratiosa, have all places counted Eastwards from the Meridian of Gratiosa, and their first Meridian in a greater number of degrees of Longitude, and that according as the Arch of Difference is.”

At the conclusion of this work we find printed a catalogue of his books, maps, and instruments, including globes celestial and terrestrial of all sizes, and, what is of considerable interest and value, the price of each given.[114]

We know that the Chinese, very many centuries ago, manifested a considerable interest in astronomy; nor was there wanting with them an interest in geography. It was, however, especially in the former science they may be said to have made contributions of real value. An unreliable record, telling us of the interest exhibited by the Emperor Shun, reigning more than two thousand years before the beginning of the Christian era, notes that he made use of an armillary sphere in his study of the stars. Little is there to assure us that prior to the time of Kúblai Kaan (1216-1294) there were those who turned their attention to the construction of globes. That great Mongol Emperor’s astronomer Ko-Shun-King, having demonstrated the superiority of his astronomical wisdom, was directed to institute reforms in Chinese chronology and to construct for purposes of scientific investigations such instruments as he thought to be necessary. Accordingly he removed from the old observatory “an armillary sphere dating from 1049,” substituting in its place a number of large and small instruments, two of which have survived to our day—an armillary sphere and a celestial globe, which may be said to date from about the year 1274. These instruments of the astronomer Ko-Shun-King had place in an observatory which he had erected on the site of an ancient structure at the southeast corner of the Tartar city wall, being raised above the parapet. There they remained until the year 1673 when the Jesuit astronomer Father Ferdinand Verbiest judged them to be useless and persuaded the Emperor to pull them down and put up new ones of his own contriving.[115] The old instruments were stored away at the foot of the terrace, and of these, as before noted, but two now remain.

Le Comte refers to the celestial globe as one well cast, and having a diameter of about three feet, the degrees and minutes being marked both “longitudinally and latitudinally.” An early description tells us that its equator is in the center, equidistant from the two poles, in each case a quarter of a circumference. The ecliptic is elevated above and depressed below the equator, in each case barely twenty-four degrees. The elevations and depressions of the moon in its orbit being variable, a bamboo hoop, divided into degrees equally throughout, is used to verify the intersections with the ecliptic and accordingly is moved from time to time. The globe rests on a square box, the north and south poles being respectively above and below the surface fully forty degrees, half of the globe being visible and half concealed. Toothed wheels, set in motion by machinery concealed within the box, are so adjusted as to cause the globe to revolve.

The armillary sphere (Fig. [117]) stands at the east end of the court. It is an instrument of huge dimensions being described in early records somewhat as follows, in each reference there being allusion to its beautiful workmanship, and to its design as possessing remarkable excellence. The supporting base of the piece has a mythological significance. The four dragons, which play such a part in the Chinese geomancy, are here represented as chained to the earth, while upholding the spheres. Its substantial horizon circle, crossed at right angles by a double ring representing an azimuth circle, forms the outer supporting framework. The upper surface of the horizon circle is divided into twelve equal parts, marked by the several Chinese cyclical characters applied to the twelve hours into which the day and night was divided. Around the outside of this horizon circle these twelve characters appear again, with the Chinese names for the several points of the compass. On the inside of this circle one finds the names of the twelve States into which the ancient Empire was divided, each State being thought of as under the influence of a particular quarter of the heavens.

Fig. 117. Ancient Mongolian Armillary Sphere, ca. 1274.

Inside this frame is placed an equatorial circle within which is a series of movable circles made to turn on polar pivots attached to the azimuth circle. These movable circles consist of an equatorial circle, a double ring ecliptic, an equinoctial colure, and a double ring solstitial colure. The equator is divided into twenty-eight unequal portions marked by the names of as many constellations of very ancient origin. The ecliptic is divided into twenty-four equal parts according with the divisions of the year. Within the circles just described there is a double revolving meridian with a double axis and within this a fixed tube for taking sights.

All the circles of this armillary sphere are divided into 365¼ degrees corresponding to the days of the year and each degree is divided into hundreds. At the corners of the base outside the dragons are four miniature rocks in bronze, with the respective inscriptions “Keen Shan,” northwest or celestial mountain; “Kwan Shan,” southwest or terrestrial mountain; “Seuen-Shan,” or southeast mountain; “Kan Shan,” northeast mountain.

When the astronomer Père Ferdinand Verbiest (1623-1688),[116] undertook the survey and management of mathematics for the Emperor he, like his predecessor Ko-Shun-King four hundred years before, began his task, as noted above, by ordering the removal of the old instruments from the observatory and the construction of new ones. Six of these are referred to in the records of the period as possessing especial merit, including a zodiacal armillary sphere six feet in diameter, an equinoctial armillary sphere six feet in diameter, a horizon azimuth likewise six feet in diameter, a quadrant having a radius of six feet, a sextant with a radius of eight feet, and a celestial globe having a diameter of six feet.

The armillary spheres have each but four circles, being of excellent workmanship, and having mountings of elaborate Chinese designs.

That which especially interests us here is the celestial globe (Fig. [117a]) which Le Compte describes somewhat in detail. “This in my Opinion,” he says, “is the fairest and best fashioned of all the Instruments. The Globe itself is brazen, exactly round and smooth; the Stars well made, and in their true places, and all Circles of proportional breadth and thickness. It is besides so well hung, that the least touch moves it, and tho’ it is above two thousand weight, the least Child may elevate it to any Degree. On its large concave Bases are placed opposite four Dragons, whose Hair standing up on end, support a noble Horizon commendable for its breadth, its several Ornaments, and the delicacy and niceness of the Work. The Meridian in which the Pole is fixed rests upon Clouds that issue out of the Bases, and slides easily between them, its Motion being facilitated by some hidden Wheels, and moves with it the whole Globe to give it the required Elevation. Besides which, the Horizon, Dragons and two brazen Beams, which lie cross in the Center of the Bases Concavity, are all moved at pleasure without stirring the Bases which still remain fixed; this facilitates the due placing of the Horizon, whether in respect of the Natural Horizon, or in respect of the Globe. I wonder how Men who live six thousand Leagues from us could go through such a piece of Work; and I must own, that if all the Circles which are divided, had been corrected by some of our Workmen, nothing could be more perfect in this kind.” This piece, it may be noted, was carried away to Potsdam at the close of the Boxer Rebellion, copies of them being left in the old observatory. The Treaty of Versailles directed that the originals should be returned to their early home.

Fig. 117a. Armillary Sphere and Celestial Globe of Ferdinand Verbiest, 1673.