<28r>

London Sept. 24. 1672.

Sir,

I had no sooner receiued the favour of your answer to my last, but the forrain post brought me a pacquet out of italy from Signor Magalotti, Secretary to the Florentin Academy, and from another gentleman, both residing at Florence; giving me notice of some particulars, wherein you being concern'd, I cannot omit here to transcribe them for you. They are to this purpose;

That one Signor Pietro Salvetti, one of the Great Dukes Musitians, having applied himself to the study of the mathematicks, and particularly to that of the Proportions of Harmony, as relating to his Profession of musick, began to delight himself in Opticks; and not being content with the Theory, attempted to putt it in practice by making Telescopes and microscopes in imitation of those of Campani and Divini: And that he lately shew'd one of his Microscopes to the G. Duke, which was Iudged by all much better than any of the best, his Highnes had; and that thesame same day he likewise shew'd his Highnes a litle Prospective Glass which he made according to Mr Newton's new invention, and although this was the first, and not above half a foot long, it had thesame effect as one of the common way of two foot.

'Tis added, that thesame person was going to make another of a bigger size after the conceit of M. Cassegrain; though he <28v> does not agree with thesaid Cassegrain, to make convexe that litle glass, which one looks into by means of the Eye-glass; and belieues withall (NB) that this French man only thought vpon that contrivance, to disguise as much as was possible his pretended new Invention (which, by the by is none of his,) which he endeavour'd to make appear anterior to Mr Newtons most noble one.

So far my Correspondent of Florence; by which you see, that your productions are spred further than perhaps you are aware of: which, he thinks, should increase your rigour to prosecute and advance them to the vtmost, as well for your owne as the Nations honor.

And this, I hope, will prove a motive to you to perfect, that is, to render indubitable to all, your new Theory of Light, and to take it again into consideration, as soon as conveniently you can, particularly by finishing w{h}{a}t by your last appears you haue now laid aside; I mean by drawing vp a series of Experiments tending to evince each part of that Theory.

Having done with this, I am, before I conclude, to desire you to let me know, if without inconvenience you can, by the first, whether a young Chymist, that hath lived many years with Mr Boyle, and attained to good skill in that Art, as I am very credibly inform'd, he hath, I mean (call'd Mr Thom. Huyck) may, be repairing to Cambridge and there offring his service to ingenious and curious persons <29r> for making with you a course of Chymistry, find acceptance, and a competent reward for his skill and pains? If you think he may, he intends, God willing, forthwith to visit your University, and to endeavour soto approve himself, as may in some measure answer exspectation, and the recommends of

Sir

your humble and faithful servant

Oldenburg.

After I had written this, there comes to my hand a letter from Monsieur Hugenius, wherein are these laws touching your doctrine of Colors, viz.

Ce que vous auez mis de Monsieur Newton dans vn de vos dernieres Transactions, confirme encor beaucoup sa doctrine des Couleurs. Toutefois la chose pourroit bien estre autrement; et il me semble qu'il se doit contenter, que ce qu'il a advancé passe pour vne hypothese fort vray-semblable. de plus, quand il seroit vray, qu{e} les rayons de lumiere, dés leur origine fussent les vns rouges, les autre bleus etꝫ. il resteroit encore la grande difficulté d'expliquer par la physique mechanique, en quoy consiste cete diversité de couleurs.

I thought fit to giue you this in his owne words, not doubting but you are master of the French tongue.

<29v>

To his honor'd friend Mr Isaac Newton, Professor of the Mathematicks in the University of Cambridge, at his Chamber in Trinity Colledge

Cambrige.

2

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