At this time, Briggs obtained a copy of "Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio", in which Napier introduced the idea of logarithms. It has also been suggested that he knew of the method outlined in "Fundamentum Astronomiae" published by the Swiss clockmaker Jost Bürgi, through John Dee. Napier's formulation was awkward to work with, but the book fired Briggs' imagination – in his lectures at Gresham College he proposed the idea of base 10 logarithms in which the logarithm of 10 would be 1; and soon afterwards he wrote to the inventor on the subject. Briggs was active in many areas, and his advice in astronomy, surveying, navigation, and other activities like mining was frequently sought. Briggs in 1619 invested in the London Company, and he had two sons: Henry, who later emigrated to Virginia, and Thomas, who remained in England.