Posted by John Collins (194.164.38.22) on June 06, 2003 at 00:13:35:
In Reply to: Question for John Collins. posted by David on June 05, 2003 at 11:21:03:
Hi David,
Those words do convey that impression although he may be implying a sudden movement which might not be due to springs but rather to the sudden release of a force due to gravity - and that sudden release happening when the rotating wheel reaches a particular position in its rotation. Don't forget that JB did say that he didn't use springs in the obvious way.
My own version of the particular passage is slightly different to the one quoted here. I'll give you the differences, which are slight. I'm not saying that this is correct as the passage in question is very difficult.
Instead of "greed is an evil root" mine says "greed is an evil plant".
Instead of "rain flows" mine says "rain drips down".
Instead of "the jack fires" mine says "the shot-gun shoots".
Instead of "Children play among the pillars with loud heavy clubs" mine says "Children play with heavy clubs among the broken columns".
Little difference but when you quoted "jack fires" I was mystified for a moment as I could not recall that bit. I'm not sure which is the correct translation. Darren's message about the different possible meanings is useful and I put something similar in my book when referring to the trade of organ-maker, which JB undertook as a cover for his work on the wheel. Organs were among the most complex machines built at that time and JB says he used his knowledge of it to discover a way to make his wheel work.
JC
: Hi John,
: Do you think the refrence "the jack fires, the bow twangs" refers to the springs releasing their energy?
: David