An Elegant Solution(105)

So I called on the Provost at his home as soon as I was presentable. He lived not far from Magistrate Faulkner and in a similar house, though Faulkner’s had more pleasant trees and gardens. I was shown in to the front parlor and soon greeted by the Provost himself.

He was a bit of a jovial man, once a Chair of Law, comfortable in his office, unafraid of it, and placid in its exercise. It was the Deans who saw to the affairs of their Colleges, and the Chairs who were the affairs of the Colleges. A Provost held a high position that depended on his wisdom and light touch. But there was a weight on his shoulders and duties to be performed. So he wanted me for a messenger.

“You know the names, Leonhard,” he said. “Tell them, the faculty will come together tomorrow morning at ten.”

“Yes, sir. For what, should I tell them?”

“The reports of the committees. The nominations.”

“I’ll tell them all, sir.”



I started my door-to-door. But I couldn’t run, which was a pity, as young gentlemen didn’t, at least not when they were seen, and there were only a few streets and alleys that were empty. And I came to each door, and knocked, and said I must speak to the Master himself, and when the Master was produced, gave him the message. It wouldn’t usually be proper to demand the sight of the mighty men, but they knew that the day would have been coming soon and were expecting it. A few weren’t home so I asked when they would be, and rounded on them again. The people of Basel were in their homes much more than anywhere else, and the Masters of the houses really had little reason to leave besides church.

The only door that worried me was my own Master’s. I could have easily come in the back and sent Little Johann up for his father, but the University had to be served in its own way. So I knocked, and Little Johann answered, and I told him I had an important message for Master Johann. Then I was let in. A gentleman wasn’t kept waiting outside, even if it was me.

I took a seat in the front parlor, where more often I was cleaning or tending the fireplace. As always the room was in twilight. Then with no warning the door opened. I was up on my feet like a rabbit.

Master Johann regarded me. “Sit down,” he said. His near-round face was caught somehow in a shaft of light; I hadn’t seen the light before he came in. His wig was bright white in it. “You have a message for me?”

“Yes, sir.” I jerked up again. “The Provost requests that the faculty attend to important business at the University tomorrow morning at ten o’clock.”

“Sit down.” He stood watching me. I sat down. Then he sat down. When I came on Saturday afternoons we both sat, but the table was between us, and he was already sitting. That was very different. Here, he was sitting to converse, with me. “Leonhard,” he said. “I have written a letter to Paris. It is to Monsieur Frontenelle of the Academy, to tell him that I have seen a solution of the Reciprocal Squares problem by my student, and that he should await a letter from Master Leonhard.”

“Master Johann . . . thank you . . . thank you! I don’t how to thank you!”

He dismissed my amazement. “The Monsieur is also an editor of the Acta Eruditorum, and I have suggested that the proof should be published.”

I nearly fell from my seat. The Acta was the journal to which Master Johann submitted his own most important papers! It was incredible that he would consider promoting me this way.

“I . . . but Master Johann . . .”

“I believe your proof is worthwhile. Leonhard, you have great potential. It is time to consider plans for your future.”

This was all beyond my greatest hopes. I’d had so many small evidences that Master Johann was favorable toward me, but many others that contradicted those. And I knew well how little he was given to selfless generosity. Yet here we sat, almost as equals, and he, the truly famed Master Johann of Basel, was advising me for my future.

“I’ve thought of the future,” I said, “but not of plans.”

“Then listen to this counsel.” Oh, of course I would! “Should the Academy accept your proof,” and of course, with his recommendation they would! “or the Acta Eruditorum publish it,” and with his suggestion, how could they not? “then you will find many opportunities open to you.” Many? All! Any door would open! “I would advise you,” he said, “to choose carefully.”

“Yes, sir,” I said. “Of course I would want to.”

“There are numerous positions that seem significant but great men aren’t found in them.”

I nodded.

“And there are other positions,” he said, “which are fewer, which great men do hold.”