The Magnetic Art

toward the arctic and antarctic pole, or the parts near it, and, as if suspended in a certain equilibrium, knows not how to be swayed. This is nothing other than the balance of justice, weighing all things in the city with equal scales. The true norm of the city, the soul of the magistrate, the cause and foundation of the law, wherefore it is best described by Ulpian in the Digest original: "ff. de iure & iustit" as the constant and perpetual will to attribute to each his own right. How much you, Most Reverend and Illustrious Father, preserve this with praise is more well-known than I can write. But I make an end, lest I seem troublesome by a manifold context of words. Meanwhile, Most Illustrious Prince, accept these magnetic disquisitions inscribed to your Illustrious name (which the capital letters of the Theorems and problems also reflect). Accept, I say, this magnetic treatise, not so much offered by me, as attracted from afar by you, a true magnet, by a magnetic act; accept with the humanity with which you are accustomed the attempts of learned men; accept this paper magnet, for a magnet does not befit anyone but the great, nor does the Herculean stone befit anyone but the most valiant Hercules. While you do this, I pray to God, thrice Great and Best, that He may preserve you, our magnet, vigorous and lively for Nestorian years a very long life, both for the utility of the Holy Roman Church and for the good of the entire Fatherland and Republic for as long as possible. Farewell. Given at Würzburg, September 25, in the Year 1631.