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

396 hear what I have hitherto not wanted to entrust to the post. As I intend and claim that with regard to the whole scientific musical system, my book contains that science of our practical operations that has hitherto never been cultivated, and which is really the sole musical system, thus it will appear to Your Reverence that the book itself is an enigma and something more occult than the other meanings and final intentions. Let me tell you in a few words the substance: with regard to music, it is an end; with regard to infinitely higher things (and here I do not intend the squaring of the circle, which is equally a means, and not an end) it is a means. Now, in confirmation of this conduct of mine, I ask Your Reverence to please report on what you may find included in my book with regard to physical things, with regard to demonstrative things, with regard to any of the details contained: all subjected to double signification, ratio, measure (note well), etc. More than this I cannot tell you, although I trust the bearer; but since Your Reverence is who he is, that is to say a man of peculiar talent and understanding, this must be enough for you for the moment, until the time comes when we can be together. On what I am writing to you there is no need for a reply, keep it in your heart, and at the most communicate it to the Most Illustrious Signor Dottor Balbi, while presenting my regards to him. What I beg of you is to give me some news of the distribution of the copies, for which I must account not in my own interest, but in the interest of the printer. 68 My greatest concern has been to contribute to the sale of the books, to ensure that they are spread everywhere, to learn the judgement of the really learned on many propositions contained therein. If we hear of someone there who objects, I ask Your Reverence to write to me frankly of the objections. By now I have received many of them, and I am dealing with them privately without any clamour. Up until now (I assure you of this with Christian truth) the opponents have all acquiesced to my replies. Nonetheless, it may be that, since there are singular men where you are, they make singular objections on the matter. This is my greatest pleasure and concern, and this is my interest. I submit to you my most cordial regards and, awaiting an answer in this one and only aspect, I remain Your Reverence’s most humble, devoted and obliged servant Giuseppe Tartini Padua, 16 February 1755 68 The reference is to the prints of the Trattato di musica secondo la vera scienza dell’armonia .