Bartsch to Müller, 5 May 1631

Many greetings, and my services for ever.

I had indeed resolved, most excellent Sir, my son’s godfather and most honoured patron, at this fair of yours, both to talk in person with your most delightful Muses about astronomy and to consult you on certain doubts about our situation, and so to make up for the delay in my letters, broken off by almost endless hindrances. But changed times force me to change this plan too, with others.

For though it was agreed among us that, because of the urgent needs of our affairs, I should continue, either alone or with my mother-in-law, the journey begun by my father-in-law Mr Kepler, of pious memory, and see to Kepler’s affairs and money at Regensburg and Linz as well as at Vienna, for a quicker and surer division of the inheritance among us, the journey has been prevented at this time: partly by the turmoil of war, which suddenly, when I feared no danger, drove me out of Sagan with my books and my figures; partly by my mother-in-law’s misfortune, since the measles of the younger children, which broke out almost on the very day of our flight, still keeps her at Sagan, with the greatest inconvenience and danger. So, it seems, no calamity comes alone. What I cannot do in person at this fair, then, perhaps at another, I do not hesitate meanwhile to make good by this letter. As for me, for a long time now I have hardly lived for myself, but for others, and that time has been troubled for me by many labours, journeys and vexations. One thing only I add, which has caused your Urania vexation too, though through no fault of mine. I had left a copy of the Somnium at Lauban, for my brother to send to Leipzig at the first sure chance, with my Tables, which were then finished. He says there were two chances, but he heard of them only after he came back from his journey; for so far he is often away on his own business. At Sagan I could fish out none except the ordinary one from Görlitz. The best and surest chance, from Sagan, came lately, without my knowledge and while I was away. For see: a few days before Easter, because of sudden and dangerous martial disturbances nearby, and the flight of most people, I was forced to hurry on foot to Lauban, just to bring back a carter to carry our goods and books here; meanwhile my mother-in-law sent a cask full of Ephemerides ahead to Leipzig with another carter, since the carter was not expected until after my return. Indeed, had I not long ago left that single copy at Lauban, and did I not have it with me now, I could not send a copy this time either. For I found the other copies in a small chest left behind at Sagan amid those most troubled disturbances, while I was looking for them here at Lauban in vain among other books. So you will receive through my brother a copy which, read by many here, has lost its gloss. Another, on cleaner paper, will follow next time; I have not yet been able to add the title and dedication.

My brother will hand you a copy of my Tables, both in octavo, in manual form, and in folio as an Appendix to the Rudolphine Tables, which I earnestly beg you to take in good part. The Appendix likewise still lacks its title, with the Map and the Dedication. A short introduction must be put before the Manual Tables. Both defects must be made good on another occasion; for Mars has so hindered Mercury. Much in the smaller format, in the figures and the rest of the arrangement, now displeases me, which could not be changed towards the end. The single pages must be folded and joined separately, if the lines are to correspond. Indeed I wish I had not begun them at this time; for I had to spend far more than I expected, and I do not see when I shall get it back. I ask and implore Your Excellency’s advice on setting the price, adding an introduction, and perhaps adding other things. For my brother hands over 30 copies on small paper and 20 on large paper opening out in folio, with 8 of the Rudolphine Tables, which you may keep in your custody, or meanwhile hand over to those who ask for them, at a fixed price, as you think best.

The copy of the [Rudolphine] Tables on writing paper, which I send double, sells for 40 Rhenish kreuzers more, which make about 11 silver groschen of your money. For the extraordinary costs of carriage and so on, I think 3 or 4 of your groschen may fairly be asked; but if that seems more than fair, let 2 be paid. The books are not mine; nor do I want the least loss to fall on Kepler’s orphans through my fault. Nor do I know how much my father-in-law, of pious memory, asked before. For I should not gladly ask more, nor less, lest by asking either I harm my own good name or their interest. What to do with the 12 copies of the Ephemerides I do not know. To send them here and there at a cost would be unwise. I do not yet know the price Tampach has set on them; I am eager to learn it from your booksellers. If we sold them for less than he does, the loss would fall on Kepler’s family. How many copies of the thousand my father-in-law, of pious memory, kept back for himself, I do not know; I eagerly await an answer from Tampach at this fair, not only on this business but on mine too: what, that is, he wants done with the second volume of the Ephemerides and the Appendix to the Rudolphine Tables: whether he wants to publish the former at his own expense and pay for my labour, and to buy up the latter. As soon as I receive his answer I shall disclose it to Your Excellency and ask your advice. Meanwhile, if Your Excellency knows anything that could inform me in this business of mine, or in another of Kepler’s family, you will not hide it next time. As to the doubts that Your Excellency raised in your last letter, I tell you this: for three months and more I have been able to read or think nothing properly at all. …

But now that I am more or less myself again at home, with my books put in order, I shall see to it that I go through each point, and write back more diligently hereafter.

I have resolved to spend some weeks now going through the books of Tycho’s Observations, which I now have with me, every one of them, with the consent of Brahe’s heirs, who have written to me several times already and wish them to be published under my care and supervision, provided that both sets of heirsTycho's heirs and Kepler's: the Emperor still owed both. can get the costs from the Emperor, or some part of the debt still owing. If the times did not prevent it, I should be glad to live with you for a while and go through them together. If anything more remains to be written or advised, I shall write more fully once I have your answer, which I await with my brother. Meanwhile Your Excellency can learn the rest, and other news, from my brother in person; and I commend you and your wife, dutifully greeted by me and mine, together with your little godson, now (God be praised) in good health, to God’s protection.

Given at Lauban, 5 May 1631.

Your Excellency’s ever devoted
J. Bartsch, D.