Character study based on the conditions of employment of a Professor of Mathematics de Toux at Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł "Rybeńko"

Abstract

At the moment lack of subject specific literature does not allow more thorough description of main duties, responsibilities, and salaries of magnate's secretaries. In many cases social background and education of these secretaries remains a mystery. The document mentioned in the title of this article's. The conditions of acceptance of service as given by the gentleman Mr. de Toux to the Prince Hetman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as stated on the eighteenth day of March in the year 1756 in Podhorce may provide some answers to at least few the questions. The advantages of de Toux's mind have been listed by his promotor Wacław Rzewuski (1706-1779), at that time Voivode of Podole and the Royal Field Hetman, in correspondence with Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł "Rybeńko" (1702-1762), Grand Hetman of Lithuania and Voivode of Vilnius, in which it is was clear that the French was fluent in French, German and Latin, all three spoken and written skills, also he was a great engineer and architect, and an outstanding mathematician. He knew engineering, architecture, tactics, and artillery ranks. In spite of his many talents de Toux wished to be in service as a secretary, engineer and architect to "Rybeńko". Based on published "terms and conditions of employment" the reader may himself conduct a character study of Professor of Mathematics Mr. de Toux.