193 Pages of history: Das Triumphirende Perpetuum Mobile Orffyreanum

[mondrasek]

AquariuZ, I think this is a very nobel undertaking.  I wish you all the best.

I also hope to learn something new from your translation!

Godspeed.

M.

[spinner]

John Collins did not translate the book, he neither reads German nor Latin. He used outside resources to have the works translated. Without wanting to criticise John, who does outstanding work, the translations leave much to be desired in parts.

Furthermore Bessler's work is confusing in itself as, in passages, the German text does not say the same as the Latin text on the opposite page.

Hans von Lieven

Yes, you're right about JC's "outside" resources... And about the precision of translations (I read your posts...). Anyway, Bessler did a great job in "encoding"  his secrets.
They're still an enigma..... No matter how good translational skills someone has...


As for the German/Latin text, I think even Mr. Bessler had to find an "outside resources" to translate his texts to Latin...

Cheers!

[hansvonlieven]

Incorrect Spinner, Bessler was fluent in Latin, his mentor Christian Weise saw to that.

Hans von Lieven

EDIT: When I say fluent in Latin, I mean of course the Latin in common use during Bessler's time, which leaves much to be desired as far as purity of language is concerned.

[AquariuZ]

the German text does not say the same as the Latin text on the opposite page.

Hans von Lieven

It appears that in certain sections the Latin addresses a more scientific audience...
It will be interesting to see what (clue?) comes out of the Latin section

My Latin is way too rusty, Google is way too unreliable, but I have sent word for assistance.

Dad has a headache already

The German text seems nothing but shameless promotion, an early marketing brochure if you will.

Main focus will be on the rhyme and page markings and see if the Latin comes up with anything. Not sure why he would have left clues... I find the argument of him pre-empting a possible later inventor feeble.

About the diagrams, nothing spectacular and certainly nothing revealing. OK so got that confirmed. Still pretty but nothing more than that... If anyone is interested in the originals (close as) I can post some here.

Again, I know Stefan is offline, and if I post them I am not sure of the copyright status so they maybe removed later.

[hansvonlieven]

@ AquariuZ,

Bessler's drawings are public domain, you can find them in a lot of places.

As to the reliability of his accounts, well that is disputable.

Don't forget that during this time serious scholars were debating on how many angels might fit on the point of a needle. ( Richard Baxter "The Reasons of the Christian Religion" 1667 )

Hans von Lieven