Note 49 — Chapter XXXX

The

magnitude

of an Object

decreases

, as the

squares

of its Distance from the Eye

increase

.

At whatever Distance, for Example, the Eye can see any Object clearly; as at the Distance of a Foot, or a Yard, if the Object be removed to twice that Distance; it will appear 4 Times smaller than it did before: 2 multiplied into 2, equals 4, which is the Square of 2: in the same Manner, if the Object be removed to thrice the Distance from the Eye, it will appear 9 Times as small, as at the first Distance: for 3 into 3 gives 9, the Square of 3: and so of any farther Distance.