"What has been objected by an anonymous author, in the Leipsic Acts of Feb. 1699, in his animadversions on my demonstrations concerning the catenary, is this: that I have undertaken to demonstrate, after my manner, a matter found out and published by others seven years ago. This is true, and I cannot find any thing in it that is blame worthy. Those great men Huygens, Leibnitz, and Bernouilli, have discovered and communicated many properties of the catenaria, but without demonstration. I have contrived demonstrations, which was the thing I undertook to do. But was this matter that is the nature and primary properties of the catenaria all found out and published by others? ...From all ages architects have made use of arches in public buildings, as well for strength as beauty. Yet what was the true geometrical figure of an arch was not known before my demonstrations came out."