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

327 LETTERS of this, it may put an end to the uncertainty of the systems and the terrible consequences that derive from them. And to help persuade you of the prudential need not to omit and neglect the examination of my proposition, you should know that the separate parts of this science have been subjected to rigorous examination many times, always taking the precaution of secrecy and making a particular effort to distribute the examination among a number of people, in such a way they were never in a position to deduce consequences that result from the whole system. I have devoted myself to it for almost ten years and the progress made has always been accompanied by scrutiny. Not only has no falsity ever been found in these experiments and no paralogism in the demonstrations; but indeed, quite the opposite, certain of the examiners of a more perspicacious cast of mind have anticipated, with the force of physical and demonstrative evidence, certain significant consequences, which I intend to conceal in the publication of the entire work. This is the state of the matter that I propose, hence on the one hand it is the duty of the wise man to suspend judgement and any bias towards the author and the subject; and on the other, it would be an act of justifiable prudence to receive my proposition so that it can be examined there with all due rigour. It is a subject of too great importance, Lord Count, my patron, and, I dare to say, more so than can be imagined. Do not therefore forgo this opportunity and please reflect that the Most Serene Doge is a very sage man. If he didn’t have the moral certainty of the truth of my endeavour, he would certainly have never given me the instructions as he did and would not extend to you his pressing attentions. Please reflect that, while I indeed may be a man obsessed, the examiners have never been. Reflect also on the respect, veneration and esteem I bear towards you. I am not capable of putting that at risk. As a matter of fact I wish for you to gain ever greater glory, and perhaps not a little may result from this circumstance. Finally, I must add that I fully understand what it means to involve a sovereign, and I understand it in its full weight! If I had even the slightest shadow of doubt concerning the truth of my venture, I would be incapable of testing it in these ways. Reflect therefore on all of this and please answer me with benevolent promptness. One thing I do guess: that you would like to know specifically what the separable proposition that I wish to send for your examination is all about. But no, it must come to you all of a sudden. I would like you to be surprised and it is in my interest that the prejudice that the stated proposition must inevitably provoke in anyone should be immediately destroyed by its examination and consequently by its physical and demonstrative truth. The other thing I predict is that on this matter you would very much like to hear the opinion of our Signor Abate Bressani. He has been away from Padua ever since the middle of last month and will not be back until the end of the present month, and given that the progress of this matter was placed in your hands at the beginning of it, the Abate knows nothing about it and will know nothing until his return. I will say, however, that he will derive so much joy from the matter, indeed more