Chorography
Original
Chorographie seemeth to be an vnderling, and a twig, of Geographie: and yet neuerthelesse, is in practise manifolde, and in vse very ample. “This teacheth Analogically to describe a small portion or circuite of ground, with the contentes: not regarding what commensuration it hath to the whole, or any parcell, without it, contained. But in the territory or parcell of ground which it taketh in hand to make description of, it leaueth out (or vndescribed) no notable, or odde thing, aboue the ground visible. Yea and sometimes, of thinges vnder ground, geueth some peculier marke: or warning: as of Mettall mines, Cole pittes, Stone quarries. &c.” Thus, a Dukedome, a Shiere, a Lordship, or lesse, may be described distinctly. But marueilous pleasant, and profitable it is, in the exhibiting to our eye, and commensuration, the plat of a Citie, Towne, Forte, or Pallace, in true Symmetry: not approching to any of them: and out of Gunne shot. &c. Hereby, the Architect may furnishe him selfe, with store of what patterns he liketh: to his great instruction: euen in those thinges which outwardly are proportioned: either simply in them selues: or respectiuely, to Hilles, Riuers, Hauens, and Woods adioyning. Some also, terme this particular description of places, Topographie.
Musean translation
Modern machine-assisted Musean edition by Mouseia, from Dee's 1570 Praeface. Latin quotations and titles are translated into English, using Dee's own English glosses where provided. Printer's type-size markup is normalized; marginal notes are kept as asides. Billingsley's separate address is omitted. Uncertain readings are marked.
Chorography seems to be an underling and a twig of geography: and yet nevertheless is manifold in practice and very ample in use. "This teaches, analogically, to describe a small portion or circuit of ground with its contents: without regard to what commensuration it has to the whole, or any parcel contained outside it. But in the territory or parcel of ground it takes in hand to describe, it leaves out nothing notable or odd standing above ground and visible. And sometimes it gives some peculiar mark or warning of things underground: as of metal mines, coal pits, stone quarries, etc." Thus a duchy, a shire, a lordship, or less may be described distinctly. But it is marvelous pleasant and profitable to set before our eye, and in commensuration, the plan of a city, town, fort, or palace in true symmetry: without approaching any of them, and out of gunshot, etc. By that the architect can furnish himself with a store of whatever patterns he likes: to his great instruction, even in those things that are outwardly proportioned: either simply in themselves, or respectively to the hills, rivers, harbors, and woods adjoining. Some also call this particular description of places topography.
Plain English translation
Modern machine-assisted Plain English edition by Mouseia, from Dee's 1570 Praeface. Latin quotations and titles are translated into English, using Dee's own English glosses where provided. Printer's type-size markup is normalized; marginal notes are kept as asides. Billingsley's separate address is omitted. Uncertain readings are marked.
Chorography seems to be a lesser thing, and a twig, of geography: and yet nevertheless it is manifold in practice and very wide in use. "This teaches, by analogy, to describe a small portion or circuit of ground, with its contents: not regarding what commensuration it has to the whole, or any parcel contained outside it. But in the territory or parcel of ground which it takes in hand to describe, it leaves out (or undescribed) no notable or odd thing above the ground that is visible. And sometimes of things under ground it gives some particular mark or warning: as of metal mines, coal pits, stone quarries, etc." Thus, a duchy, a shire, a lordship, or less, may be described distinctly. But it is marvelous pleasant and profitable to display to our eye, and measure in proportion, the plan of a city, town, fort, or palace, in true symmetry: without going close to any of them, and from out of gunshot, etc. By that the architect can furnish himself with as many patterns as he likes: to his great instruction, even in those things that are proportioned outwardly: either simply in themselves, or in relation to hills, rivers, harbors, and woods adjoining. Some also call this particular description of places topography.
About this section
Chorography is part of The Mathematicall Praeface to the Elements of Geometrie by John Dee. This page sets the 16th-century English original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is part 9 of 34 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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