Briefwechsel Tobias Mayer
| Kurzinformation zum Brief | |
| Autor | Michaelis, Johann David (1717-1791)[1] |
| Empfänger | Bradley, James (1692-1762)[2] |
| Ort | Göttingen |
| Datum | 22. Februar 1762 |
| Signatur | SUB Göttingen: Ms. Mich. 321, Bl. 84 |
| Transkription | Buhle, Johann Gottlieb: Literarischer Briefwechsel von Johann David Michaelis, Band 1. Leipzig: Weidmann 1794, S. 296-297 (Brief 80) |
Honour' Sir,
Göttingen, the 22. of Febr. 1762
Master Mayer, who hath had the honour of Your acquaitance, died the 20th of this Month, agedno more, than 39 years. As Your very Name was ever dear to him, he believed, his memory would be so to You: and for this reason ordere me, to give You notice of his death.
You know, that he presented ot the Admirality, some time ago, some papers, concerning the Longitude of the Sea, and that he, chiefly encouraged by me, entertained some hopes of the price proposed. He hath left me the charge, to take care of his affairs in this point, or to express myself more properly, or the affairs of his widow and little children, Pray, Sir, instruct me, how to behave for my deceased friend? It is Your kind care that I have recourse, being so much a stranger in England, as not to be able even to guess, what would be for the interest of the disconsolate widow and children of Mr. Mayer.
I write to You in english, though I have never attempted it, but I hope, You will be so good, as to excuse the faults of the language in behalf of the heart.
If You will be so kind, as to favour me with an answer, it may be sent to Mr. Best[3], Secretary to the King for the Hannoverian affairs. Under this address I shall have Your letter in the Kings packet. I am with the greatest respect,
Sir,
Your must humble
and most obedient Servant
Michaelis
Fußnoten
- ↑ Johann David Michaelis (1717-1791) war Theologe und Orientalist an der Universität Göttingen. U.a. er entwarf für die dortige Akademie der Wissenschaften die Satzung und war einige Zeit Sekretär, dann Direktor dieser Einrichtung.
- ↑ James Bradley (1692-1762) war seit 1742 in Nachfolge von Edmund Halley (1656-1742) erster Königlicher Astronom und Direktor der Sternwarte in Greenwich.
- ↑ William Philip Best war Privatsekretär des englischen Königs Georg III. und als solcher für die hannoverschen Angelegenheiten zuständig. In seiner Lebensbeschreibung schrieb Michaelis zu ihm, dass der geheime Sekretär "damals mir unbekannt und nachher mein naher Verwandter" gewesen sei. Die beiden waren Vettern, worüber Michaelis der wichtigste Verbindungsmann von Mayer nach London geworden ist.