Eise Eisinga's Crooked Stool

Eise Eisinga (1744-1828) works for seven years on his planetarium. In 1781 it is finally completed. Professor Van Swinden of the Franeker academy is so enthusiastic that he writes a book about the planetarium. He also visits the planetarium regularly with students. A lovely story circulates about Eise and the students: One evening, Eise is giving a lecture behind his house. When he steps away for a moment to fetch something, the students quickly saw off a small piece of his stool's legs. When he returns, Eise quickly notices this, but he says nothing. He merely remarks drily: 'Apparently the heavens have risen. Or otherwise the earth has fallen…'.

It's a beautiful June evening in 1797. In De Bogt fen Guné, five students are gathered together. They are preparing for a night-time lecture by Eise Eisinga. As usual, he will be teaching astronomy behind his dwelling on the rampart.

Student Laverman seems to be in a hurry: 'Do drink up, man! We should be getting there soon.' But his mates think differently: 'Fellow, what are you on about?' laughs De Moll. 'The sun hasn't even set yet!' Van Binsbergen agrees with him: 'Yes! There's nothing to see yet anyway. Innkeeper, five beers!'

While the barkeep sets the tankards on the table, the conversation continues about the forthcoming lecture. De Moll remarks: 'If we knock on Eisinga's door now, we'll naturally have to come inside first.' Bieruma is not keen on this: 'I'd rather go straight to the rampart. That planetary system of his, I know it well enough. What's so special about it anyway? Yes, it keeps time. So what? Any clockmaker can do that!'

'But,' Laverman tries again. 'Eisinga said we had to be there at ten o'clock.' - 'That's only because he doesn't know what an academic quarter-hour is,' De Moll remarks sarcastically. 'The man was never even a student himself!' Hilarius heartily agrees: 'And everything he tells us he's simply taken from books anyway. He's never made a discovery of his own!'

This last remark suddenly gives De Moll an idea: 'I know what! Let's help Eisinga make a real discovery. We saw off a bit of his stool legs. Then we'll see if he notices!' Even Laverman thinks this is a good joke: 'But it will have to be next week, because we haven't got time now.'

A week later, the five students are well in time for their lecture. When Eisinga appears on the rampart, they have even set up his stool for him. This is quite unusual and Eisinga is on his guard. He knows full well what this arrogant group of students thinks of him. He sits down carefully.

First, Eise remains quiet for a moment. He looks up at the clear sky. Then he studies the ground carefully. Finally, he begins in a serious tone: 'Gentlemen, tonight I must begin my lecture with a special announcement! Apparently the heavens have risen this evening. Or otherwise the earth has fallen…'