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Doc. 42.] 215
PROF. ELFVIUS TO SWEDENBORG .
and by which the diameter of the planets is taken. If I
could get such a micrometer sent here, it would be well;
for it is very useful, especially in the observation of eclipses.
Also how the tubes of twenty or thirty feet length are handled,
with many other things that I cannot detail here.
2. What became of Hooke’s observation, according to which
he desired to prove the annual motion of the earth, in his
treatise : “ An attempt to prove the motion of the Earth,” London,
1674. Whether it is approved of by the learned, and whether
the observation is continued by others.
3. We should like to get a catalogue of all the writings
of Flamsteed, which it would not be well for the Library to
be without; but about this the Librarian himself will write.
4. Glass -grinding, I think, you ought to make yourself
acquainted with, from the beginning even to the minutest
detail.
5. What the learned mathematicians think about Newton’s
theory of the motion of the planets : inasmuch as it seems
to be a pure abstraction without any physical ground, viz.
how one planetary body could gravitate towards another, &c.,
which seems to be an absurdity.
6. Whether Flamsteed adopts the number given by
Cassini for the greatest obliquity of eclipses, viz. 23° 29’, or
takes the number given by others, viz. 23° 30’.
7. Which tables of the moon’s motion are considered the best.
[Here follows Prof. Elfvius’ observation of the eclipse of
the moon in 1706, which Swedenborg desired to have].
In conclusion I commend you to God’s protection, and
remain
Your most obedient servant,
P. ELFVIUS.
[P. S.] I recommend the above, and everything else that
may be of use in our mathematical studies, to Mr. Swedberg’s
great desire of acquiring knowledge, &c.
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