40. Henry Phillippes, A Mathematical Manual (first edition, 1669; this edition, London, 1693).

  Fig. 56

Phillippes was best known as an author on navigation and an editor of the popular English almanacs initiated by John Tapp. This text, providing tables of logarithms in a convenient portable format along with examples of their use, was intended by its author 'only for a Manual or Pocket-Book'. Nevertheless, gunnery was sufficiently recognized as a component of English mathematical practice to come within the bounds of Phillippes' treatment.

The folding plate illustrated in figure 56 - 'A Demonstration of the Randomes of Mortar Pieces' - shows the trajectories of mortar bombs from 45 to 90 degrees, at 5 degree intervals. The distances are based on (though not identical with) the values given by an earlier English mathematical practitioner, Robert Norton, who published several works on artillery including The Gunner of 1628. Phillippes published his graphical 'demonstration' of trajectories to render this aspect of artillery 'more plain and visible' and remarked that 'though it differs much from other Mens Schemes thereof, yet I doubt not but that you will find it much nearer the truth, especially for the Ranges above 45, which are chiefly necessary'.


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