Letter from Robert Hooke to Gottfried Leibnitz. Reference number: EL/H3/64. Date: 15 May 1681.
Original source: The Royal Society: Science in the Making
Sr.
I am extreamly pleased to find so excellent a Person as the Learned
world must acknowledg
Mr Leibnitz to concur in the same opinion wth me that
a language somewh like
that of ye Bishop of Chester would be of use for the Promotion
of Science. It has
been long my Judgment and that founded upon undenyable principles from [which?]
I cannot [deviate?] that this language would be of much greater use than the
world has conceived, though I have hitherto had the ill fortune scarcly
to meet w
one man (except himself) whom I can persuade to concur wth me. [Yet?] the
greatest number look upon it only as a chymera and at best but a supplement
for Latine in the inner parts of Europe, or for the Lingua Franca in the
maritime. Yet my aymes have always been much higher, [viz.,?] to make it not only useful
for Expressing & Remembering of things and notions but to Direct,
Regulate, assist and even necessitate & compell the mind
to find out and comprehend
wtsoever is knowable. And to make it the an
Instrument which may being actuated
by the power of the mind shall most certainly produce the defined effect
or plainly shew the Impossibility thereof, especially in all those
subjects where the
use of it may be free and where Interest and Authority doe not Intercept the
Regular Course thereof, which I conceive to be the great antagonists which
may impede its progress; preposession may clogg it but it will get through
safe & well notwhstanding. It may therefore not unfitly be called the Algebra
of Algebras or the Science of Methods, which every one that now invents a
particular method does somewt participate, but comes short of the full perfection and
[?] of that kind. At least if he lights on it he knows not how he came by it
nor can he prove that tis so and not otherwise. Any thing therefore that
Mr Leibnitz knows that will promote this end will be highly acceptable if he
please to communicate it and shall be acknowledged as his. The great difficulty lyes
in the media but the generall method will not only plainely shew what those are
[and?] the way of attaining them, but this is not to be done in many subjects but
wth much exercises of the methods and there is a subordination and positure
in the Subjects of Inquiry themselves, and therefore
the first Alphabet or those which may be called the Symbols
are first to be understood, then those which may be called the Syllables + then
the words then sentences or propositions &c. Nor is it to be imagined a Scoller
in this art shall at first sight read perfectly, but might with Labour
& Patience proceed methodically, and goe by Steps from subject to subject as Nature
has placed them in order, and then tis not to be doubted but the Soule of man
may be carryed to the highest step of knowledge and comprehend scientifically
whatever tis made capable of knowing. To compleat which the united labours
of many will be necessary and of such as are fitly qualified and those often Meeting
and Debating together, and exerting their utmost abilitys in the right way.
But where are these to be found? Either will or ability or opportunity or some
other necessary concomitant is found wanting;
p2
soe that I fear this may be seen in Speculation but twill be very difficult to bring
it into act. And every one must be content himself to improve himself soe far
as he can in the disquisition on this or that subject he has most present need of knowing.
I question not but Mr Leibnitz may have many of those specimens by him
and therefore I doe heartily wish you could prevail wh him to
Communicate some of those which would be a means to persuade severall yet incredulous
of the possibility of such a Science. For my own part I should very gladly
contribute my [industry?] toward this end but the Difficulty Scarcity
of Persons to converse wh concerning it does almost discourage me. But
the concurrence & confirmation of soe excellent a Person as Monr
Leibnitz would be very provident for making Proselyts!
Lr to Mr Leibnitz. 1681. May 19.
Concerning Mr Leibnitz, his Dessigne for an Universall Language or Character. Sent by Mr Hook to Mr Leibnitz May 19, 1681.