This interests Mr. Rumsey, who had hoped the same thing.
D'Arnal's privilege was published in a paper of the 10th of November.
Probably, therefore, his application for it was previous to the delivery
of Mr. Rumsey's papers to the secretary of the Academy of Sciences,
which was in the latter part of the month of August. However, D'Arnal is
not a formidable competitor. He is not in circumstances to make any use
himself of his privilege, and he has so illy succeeded with a steam-mill
he erected at Nismes, that he is not likely to engage others to venture
in his projects. To say another word of the catenarian arch, without
caring about mathematical demonstrations, its nature proves it to be in
equilibrio in every point. It is the arch formed by a string fixed at
both ends, and swaying loose in all the intermediate points. Thus at
liberty, they must finally take that position, wherein every one will
be equally pressed; for if any one was more pressed than the neighboring
point, it would give way, from the flexibility of the matter of the
string.
*****
I am, with sentiments of sincere esteem and attachment, Dear Sir, your
friend and servant,
Th: Jefferson.
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