Dr. Moll on the Invention of Telescopes. 329 



of equal power ; and it has the great advantage of not straining 

 and fatiguing the eye. 



The readiness with which Lippershey furnished the States 

 with the binoculus is a proof of considerable ingenuity, and 

 must tend to do away with the notion that he was a low, 

 ignorant mechanic, guided by mere chance. 



The States, refusing to grant the privilege which Lippershey 

 wished to obtain, give as a reason of their refusal that the 

 invention was known to many. Of this we have evidence in 

 Metius's petition ; but we may find some more, in a book 

 from which one would little expect to draw scientific infor- 

 mation. 



Negotiations, which terminated in a twelve years' truce, 

 were then pending in the Hague, between the States and 

 Spain. The ministers of the King of France, Henry IV"., 

 were the celebrated President de Jeannin and .Monsieur Bussi. 

 The letters which Jeannin wrote on the subjects of these 

 negotiations to the king and his ministers have been printed, 

 and amongst them we find something relating to the history of 

 the invention of telescopes*. 



Thus on the 28th of December, 1608, a few days after the 

 States had refused the privilege to Lippershey, Teannin and 

 Bussi write to the king. 



' The bearer, who returns to France, is a soldier of Sedan, 

 who served some time in Prince Maurice's company j\ He 

 possesses several inventions for the war, and that form of 

 glasses (the French has lunettes} which have recently been 

 invented in this country by a spectacle-maker of Middleburg, 

 by which one sees at a great distance. The States ordered 

 the workman, who is the inventor of them, to make two for 

 your majesty. We should not have required their favour, if the 

 artist had been willing to make them at our own request ; but 

 he refused, saying, that he had express orders from the States, 

 not to make them for anybody. We will send them to your 

 majesty on the first opportunity; and notwithstanding this 

 soldier makes themasjvvell (aussi-bien) as the other, as appears 



* Lettres et Negotiations du President de Jeannin. Paris, fol. 1656. 

 f In the Prince's guards. 



