t
it visited that Star of _Aries_ on the 18, and returned thence the 19^{th},
into its ordinary course; in which, according to his, and his several
Correspondents Observations the Comet on _Feb._ 17. was distant from that
_first Star_ of _Aries_ at least 1 degree and 17 minutes; and on _February_
19. (he having missed, as well as his other Friends, the Observation on
_Febr._ 18) was advanced in its way 12 or 13 minutes, but yet distant from
the said Star _some minutes_ above a _whole degree_, and consequently far
from having then passed it. After which time M. _Auzout_ affirms to have
seen it as well as several others, for many daies, and that until _March_
7/17, observing, That about _Feb._ 26. or 27, when the Comet was nearest to
the often-mentioned _first_ of _Aries_, it approached not nearer thereunto,
then the distance of 50. minutes.

This important Difference between two very Learned, and very deserving
Persons, being come to the knowledge of some of the ablest _Philosophers_ &
_Astronomers_ of _England_, hath been by them thought worthy their
Examination: and they being at this very present employed in the discussion
thereof, by comparing what hath been done and published by the Dissenters,
and by confronting with them their own Domestick Observations, are very
likely to discern where the mistake lies; and having discern'd it, will
certainly be found hightly impartial and ingenuous in giving their sense of
the same. {109}

* * * * *

_Of the _Mundus Subterraneus_ of _Athanasius Kircher_._

This long expected _Subterraneous World_, is now come to light, dedicated
(at least the _Exemplar_, that hath been perused by the _Publisher_ of
these _Papers_, who hears, That other _Copies_ bear Dedication to other
_Great Princes_) both to the present Pope, as being esteemed by the author
to have a part of his _Apostolical Kingdom_ there; and to the _Roman
Emperor_ now Regent, who indeed in his Kingdom of _Hungary_, and in several
Provinces of _Germany_, hath very many and very considerable things, worthy
to be observed, under _Ground_.

To give the Curious a taste of the _Contents_ of this _Volume_, and thereby
to excite them to a farther search into the recesses of Nature, for the
composure of a good _Natural History_; they may first take notice, That the
Author, having given an account in the _Preface_, what encouragement he
received, for writing this Book, from the opportunity of Travel