LETTER TO MR. OLDENBURG.[7]

WORTHY S^R

In the last Transactions for September and October I find a letter addressed to you from D^r Wallis, in answer to my LUX MATHEMATICA. I pray you tell me that are my old acquaintance, whether it be (his words and characters supposed to be interpreted) intelligible. I know very well you understand sense both in Latine, Greeke, and many other languages. He shows you no ill consequence in any of my arguments. Whereas I say there is no proportion of _infinite_ to _finite_. He answers, he meant _indefinite_; but derives not his conclusion from any other notion than simply _infinite_. I said the root of a square number cannot be the length of the side of a square figure, because a root is part of a square number, but length is no part of a square figure. To which he answers nothing. In like manner, he shuffles off all my other objections, though he know well enough that whatsoever he has written in Geometry (except what he has taken from me and others) dependeth on the truth of my objections. I perceive by many of his former writings that I have reformed him somewhat as to the Principles of Geometry, though he thanke me not. He shuffles and struggles in vaine, he has the hooke in his guills, I will give him line enough: for (which I pray you tell him) I will no more teach him by replying to any thing he shall hereafter write, whatsoever they shall say that are confident of his Geometry. _Qui volunt decipi, decipiuntur._ He tells you that I bring but _crambe sæpe cocta_. For which I have a just excuse, and all men do the same; they repeat the same words often when they talk with them that cannot heare.

I desire also this reasonable favour from you: that, if hereafter I shall send you any paper tending to the advancement of physiques or mathematiques, and not too long, you will cause it to be printed by him that is printer to the Society, as you have done often for D^r Wallis: it will save me some charges.

I am, S^r,

Your affectionate frend and humble seruant

THOMAS HOBBES.

_November the 26th, 1672._

ffor my worthy and much honoured frend M^r HENRY OLDENBURGH, Secretary to the Royal Society.

Footnote 7:

Amongst the MSS. of the Royal Society.