Glass cane
Date
2 February 1663
Creator
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 2006, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p4
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 210mm
width (page): 150mm
width (page): 150mm
Subject
Content object
Description
In this letter to Robert Moray dated 2 February 1663 (N.S.), Christian Huygens described a quicksilver experiment using a two-foot-long glass cane, whose actual diameter he recorded in the margin (diameter 8 mm). An extract of this letter was translated by Henry Oldenburg (EL/H1/19), who also recorded the circle in the same size. The letter was read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 4 February 1663.
There are copies of this image at LBO/1/077 and LBC/1/094.
There are copies of this image at LBO/1/077 and LBC/1/094.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 28 January 1663, ‘Sir Robert Moray having mentioned his having received a letter from Monsieur Huygens, it was ordered, that an English translation of it be made against the next meeting, and that the scheme contained in it be drawn in great’ (Birch 1:192).
On 4 February 1663, ‘Monsieur Huygens’s letter to Sir Robert Moray, dated from the Hague, February 2, 1662/3, was read; and the experiments mentioned therein, viz. that of the quicksilver sticking to the finger, and that of the not subsiding of water purged from air, were recommended to be made again; the former to Dr. Goddard, in a cane of a less bore than formerly; the latter to Mr. Hooke’ (Birch 1:193).
On 4 February 1663, ‘Monsieur Huygens’s letter to Sir Robert Moray, dated from the Hague, February 2, 1662/3, was read; and the experiments mentioned therein, viz. that of the quicksilver sticking to the finger, and that of the not subsiding of water purged from air, were recommended to be made again; the former to Dr. Goddard, in a cane of a less bore than formerly; the latter to Mr. Hooke’ (Birch 1:193).
Related fellows
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 2006, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Robert Moray (1608 - 1673, British) , Natural philosopher
William Petty (1623 - 1687, British) , Natural philosopher
Robert Moray (1608 - 1673, British) , Natural philosopher
William Petty (1623 - 1687, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place