Christiaan Huygens – A family affair - Proeven van Vroeger

diplomatic interlocutors, and Chapelain kept close track of Constantijn Sr.’s position at the
court and in the negotiations. 402 Chapelain expressed his servitude to both men and his great
appreciation for Constantijn Sr.’s status at several points, showing great interest in a good
relationship with the whole family Huygens. There is a good case to make that Chapelain
discussed Christiaan Jr.’s inclusion on the list with Constantijn Sr. during one of their
assemblies. 403
The next year, Christiaan Jr. received the same honor again: “[y]ou will again, without
doubt, be excited by the new token of the continuation of his [His Majesty the King of France]
esteem that you will receive soon (…).” 404
ii. Moving closer – the King’s privilege for the pendulum clock
In 1665, however, Colbert’s (and thus the King’s) patronage of Christiaan Jr. was
taken to a new level. On March 6, 1665 Christiaan Jr. wrote to Moray:
My Father notifies me that, at his latest audience, he has demanded the Privilege [for the
remontoir pendulum clock] from the King, who has accorded it quickly enough, and if he
[Constantijn Sr.] is not forced to leave too early I hope that he will be accelerating the
certificate there. 405
Christiaan obtained a privilege for his pendulum clock on sea, after years of technical
preparation and strategic planning, granted by the King of France.
Recompenses for tactical investment in patronage-ties typically yielded “privileges” for
inventors and authors. Though “procedures and conditions for the granting of privileges to
402 Ibid., Vol. III, No. 912 – Chapelain to Christiaan (Oct. 23, 1661): Chapelain told Christiaan that his
father was invited to come for talks on the principality of Orange. HUYGENS, C. (1888) OC., Vol. IV,
No 967 (Feb. 8, 1662): Christiaan’s comment in February 1662 that his father was treated “honorably at
that court there [Versailles]” was echoed by Chapelain later that year, who indicated that his father
came up to his good reputation and that his dignity grew more and more: Christiaan to Lodewijk (Feb.
8, 1662), No 982 – Chapelain to Christiaan (Feb. 17, 1662)
403 Oeuvres, Vol. IV, No, 1024 (15 Jun. 1662)– Constantijn Jr. & Sr. seem to have been regular visitors
of Chapelain. HUYGENS, C. (1888) OC., No 875, Chapelain to Christiaan (Jul. 20, 1661) and
HUYGENS, C. (1888) OC., No 912, Chapelain to Christiaan (Oct. 23, 1661). HUYGENS, C. (1888)
OC., Vol. IV, No. 1152 (Oct. 5, 1663): Chapelain offered his services to Constantijn Sr.
404 “Vous y serés sans doute excité de nouueau par la nouuelle marque que vous receurés bientost de la
continuation de son estime.” HUYGENS, C. (1888) OC., Vol. V, No. 1241 (Jul. 12, 1664)
405 “Mon Pere me mande qu’il a demandè a sa derniere audience le Privilege au Roy, qui l’avait accordè
aussi tost, et s’il n’est contraint trop tost a partir j’espere qu’il en sera expedier la depesche.” Ibid., Vol.
V, No. 1345 (March 6, 1665)
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