Giuseppe Tartini - Lettere e documenti / Pisma in dokumenti / Letters and Documents - Volume / Knjiga / Volume II

290 All of this stems from the discovery of a most evident error, in the first mathematical elements, hitherto believed to be undisputable truth, and an error of such importance that there is no greater. The geometric progression is wrong. May this be sufficient for you to grasp the importance of the error. The true geometric progression is something completely different, and in this lies the solution to all the difficulties mentioned; and even more than this, as there are infinite other corollaries of equal and greater importance, but this is no weight for my shoulders. Being unsure, due to my ignorance over some paralogism, I entrusted the finding to two learned men, patrons of mine, and for a good principle; having examined it, everything was found to be true. But in this case I need a man who is much more learned even than the aforementioned two, and who is entirely trustworthy. This man, for me, can be none other than Your Most Illustrious Lordship. I have worked for Polleni, for Abate Conti, for Riva, for Riccati, for Suzzi, but none of them, albeit most excellent men, are suitable for me. Furthermore, I have taken another step. I have proposed this discovery to the Académie Royale of Paris, if I shall be sufficiently rewarded. I am waiting for the reply to come soon, but then things will be quite complicated because, given that I do not know the terms of the mathematical sciences, I shall not be able to express myself if not in my own way. It is true that all these findings must be adapted to physical problems, and this is where I get lost and know nothing, although I am sure of the truth of the adaptation. What does Your Most Illustrious Lordship say to me on the matter? Could it happen that your customary devotion to St Anthony could receive an effective inducement from what I’m writing to you, sufficient for you to come here for eight or ten days, where you would be welcome in the house of Signor Don Antonio Vandini and here completely served? I shall impatiently await your answer, begging you for two things which are very important for me, which are inviolable secrecy in any case and haste in answering, while conveying to you my most cordial regards, I profess myself as ever Your Most Illustrious Lordship’s most devoted and obliged servant Giuseppe Tartini Padua, 14 April 1741