Invention of the salAtstce spuimcj. 36Q 



^Dieted, and M. Huyghens tried all methods to get it ex- 

 tended to England^ but it was there opposed. M. Lcibinitz 

 was in Paris at the time of Hautefeuille's process, and says 

 he was cast : this may be so, and still the patent might not 

 be granted to M. Iluvchens. 



The first appearance of INI. Huyghens' claim was about Communica- 

 1665. Sir Robert Moray j in a letter dated Oxford, 30th of ^\g"Q"gj,y°by^ ^ 

 September, l665, to Mr. Oldenburgh, presumes, that from Oldenbursh. 

 his intimacy with M. Huyghens, he will be among the first 

 to hear of his watches, and desires him to ask him, whether 

 he does not apply a spring to the arbor of the balance ? 

 This will bring M. Huyghens to say something of the mat^ 

 ter; and if you find from his answef that this is the case, you 

 may then tell him what ISIr. Hooke has done in this way, 

 and that he promises still more. Here it appears that 

 Hooke's secret was in some degree known; and as Sir Robert 

 had no longer any interest in the secret, he gives Olden- 

 burgh leave to communicate it. Hooke complained much 

 to the Society of these communications of theii' secretary. 



From this account, which is all founded on well authenti- R^umption : 



cated facts, and does no great honouv to the three gentle- '^^^^ Hooke 



' " _ =■ appears to have 



men, it is plain, that Hooke had invented the regulating invented the 



spring as early as lG58 or 1(559; although perhaps he had ^^^^^"'^y^Pg'^S 

 not then given it that form which it now bears. His first before Huy- 

 watches were furnished with two cork-screw or cylindrical ° ^^^' 

 springs,* which acted on the balance arbor by a silk fibre or 

 thread lapped round it. It is extremely probable that Huy- 

 ghens knew of Hooke's discoveries in general, although it can- 

 not be said with any certainty that he borrowed or stole the 

 invention from him. Yet Hooke frequently charges him with 

 this theft, but without being able distinctly to supi^drt the 

 charge. Huyghens did not publish it till l675, or there- 

 abouts. 



These circumstances T think fully establish Hooke's claim Hooke also in- 

 to the invention of pendulum or balance springs; and that they yolvino- uendu'- 

 were invented by him like a man of science, from principle, lum, and a ba- 



and not by chance discovered. I would also observe, that Mr. ^^"l^'^^j ^ 

 •' ' same kind, 



* Cylindrical springs were used by Mr. Harrison in some of his 

 essay timekeepers; and long afterwards, the late Mr. Arnold 

 obtained a patent for them. 



Vol. XIV.-^SupPLEMENT, Bbb Hooke 



