TO THE READER, GREETINGS.

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The great glory of William Boswell, Sir William Boswell (died 1650) was an English politician and diplomat who served as the resident ambassador at The Hague. He was a polymath and a patron of the sciences. earned through his just merits, was well known among the learned of our time. Born of an ancient and most noble family in Yorkshire, original: Eboracenses he brought the studies of both gentle and more rigorous literature—happily cultivated in the shadows of the Academy Referring to the university environment—into the light of the Royal Court. He maintained a capacity for majestic business, free from the harshness of envious splendor, combined with a tempered serenity of the highest kindness. Just as he proved his loyalty to the Scepter The English monarchy and showed a skillfully versatile industry in conducting affairs—having served for a long time as the Ambassador original: Orator of the late most Serene King of England Charles I to the United Netherlands original: fœderatos Belgas—so too did he shine as a most kind and faithful protector to the Muses and to the students of every kind of learning. He sought to shield them from the injustices of the age and, as far as possible, to guide them into a harbor away from the storms of an ill-favored fate. But I do not weave a barren eulogy for a man who can never be praised enough—a man who, even amidst the greatest misfortunes of the time which dismally disturbed English affairs and Boswell's own private fortunes, will surely have heralds worthy of his rare virtues. For my part, as I wish to say a few words by way of preface to this Physiology, original: Physiologiæ — In the 17th century, "physiology" referred broadly to "natural philosophy" or the study of the laws of nature, rather than just the human body. I felt it necessary to touch upon these things; I had to compress into a short speech a subject matter open to ample praise, so that I might honorably boast of such...