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Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

The Summary of Physics Restored

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion

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The Summary of Physics RestoredThe 245 Canons · English

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The 245 Canons · English

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Latin

Radij corporis lucidi licèt spiritualis naturæ sint, nihilominus à corpore denso sistuntur, quia aëre pro vehiculo vtuntur, sine quo à nobis percipi non possunt, cuius copulâ ipsi etiam corporei quodammodo fiunt, propterea nisi porosa corpora non penetrant. Sic spiritualia apud nos per medium aliquod sensibile agunt, vt agere deprehendantur. Absente autem corpore luminoso radij etiam recedunt, nec eius præsentiam deserunt, quia ab ipso immediatè fluunt.

English

Although the rays of a luminous body are spiritual in nature, they are nevertheless stopped by a dense body, because they use air as their vehicle. Without it we cannot perceive them, and through union with it they themselves become bodily in a certain way. They therefore penetrate only porous bodies. Thus spiritual things act among us through some perceptible intermediary, so that their action may be apprehended. When the luminous body is absent, its rays also withdraw: they do not leave its presence, because they flow immediately from it.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1653 Enchiridion physicae restitutae, conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet, with Latin and a fresh English translation, all 245 canons, the title and maxim, address to students, epigram, original marginalia, 140 modern annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Enchiridion physicae restitutae. Geneva: Jean-Antoine and Samuel de Tournes, 1653. ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Rar 4790; digitised by e-rara, doi:10.3931/e-rara-21407. Conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet; the original title page is anonymous.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical Latin text is a public-domain work. The supplied 2026 fresh English translation, readable Latin transcription and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.