_MADAM,_
Concerning your question of the ascending nature of fire, I am
absolutely of _Aristotle's_ Opinion, that it is as natural for Fire
to ascend, as it is for Earth to descend; And why should we believe
the nature of one, and doubt the nature of the other? For if it be
granted, that there are as well ascending, as descending bodies in
Nature, as also low and high places, (according to the situation of
Particulars) and Circumferences, as well as Centers, (considering the
shape of bodies) I cannot perceive by humane reason, but that the
Nature of fire is ascending, and that it is very improbable, it should
have a descending or contracting nature, as to tend or endeavour to a
Center. But, _Madam_, give me leave to ask what sort of Fire you mean,
whether a Celestial, or a Terrestrial Fire, _viz._ that which is named
an Elemental fire, or any other sort of fire? for there may be as many
several sorts of fire, as of other Creatures; or whether you mean onely
that sort of fire that belongs to this terrestrial Globe, or all the
fire in general that is in Infinite Nature? and if you mean onely that
sort of fire which belongs to this Terrestrial World we live upon; I
answer, There are many several sorts of that fire too; for all the
fire belonging to this Earthly Globe, doth not lie in one place, body,
or part, no more then all metal, or but one sort of metal, as Gold,
lies in one mine, or all Mankind in one womb. Neither can I believe,
that the Sun is the onely Celestial Fire in Nature, but that there may
be as numerous Suns, as there are other sorts of Creatures in Nature.
But as for the ascending propriety of this terrestrial Fire, you may
say, That the Elements do commix and unite in this worldly Globe, and
if Fire should have an ascending motion, it would pierce into other
Globes, or Worlds, and never leave ascending. I answer: That, first of
all, the strength of fire is to be considered, consisting not onely
in its quantity, but also in its quality; as whether it can ascend
to those bodies and places which are far above it: For example; A
Man, or any other Creature, hath never so much strength, or ability,
or length of life, as to travel to the utmost parts of the Universe,
were the way never so plain and free, and the number of men never so
great: the like for Elementary fire, which hath life and death, that
is, generation and dissolution, and successive motion, as well as other
Creatures. But you would fain know, whether fire, if it were left at
liberty, would not turn to a Globous figure? I answer; That, to my
sense and reason, it would not: but some men, seeing the flame of fire
in an arched Oven, descend round the sides of the Oven in a Globous
figure, do perhaps imagine the nature of fire to be descending, and its
natural figure round as a Globe, which is ridiculous; for the fire in
the Oven, although every where incompassed and bound, yet, according
to its nature, ascends to the top of the Oven; and finding a stoppage
and suppression, offers to descend perpendicularly; but by reason of
a continual ascending of the following flame, the first, and so all
the following parts of flame are forced to spread about, and descend
round the sides of the Oven, so that the descension of the flame is
forced, and not natural, and its Globous figure is caused, as it were,
by a mould, which is the Oven. But some are of opinion, that all bodies
have descending motions towards the Center of this worldly Globe, and
therefore they do not believe, that any bodies do ascend naturally:
But what reason have they to believe one, and not the other? Besides,
how do they know that all bodies would rest in the Center of this
terrestrial Globe, if they came thither? For if it was possible, that a
hole could be digged from the superficies of this Earthly Globe thorow
the middle or Center of it unto the opposite superficies, and a stone
be sent thorow; the question is, whether the stone would rest in the
Center, and not go quite thorow? Wherefore this is but an idle Fancy;
and the proof that Fire tends not to a Center, is, because it cannot
be poised or weighed, not onely by reason of its rarity, but of its
dilative and aspiring Nature; and as fire is ascending, or aspiring,
so likewise do I, _Madam_, aspire to the top of your favour, and shall
never descend from the ambition to serve you, but by the suppression of
death. Till then, I remain,
Madam,
_Your constant Friend,_
_and faithful Servant._