** 2

To the Most Serene Prince

HENRY

Heir to the Kingdoms of Great Britain, France, and Ireland.

I would certainly not dare to offer your Highness this so small a gift original: "tantillum munus." This is a standard modest opening for a dedication, where the author downplays the value of their work compared to the status of the patron., unless I knew that you receive the industrious results of all studies with the greatest favor and a most serene countenance. May I be permitted, therefore, according to your customary clemency, to dedicate to you this posthumous philosophy of my brother William Gilbert (1544–1603), the famous physician and scientist. This work, "De Mundo," was published many years after his death by his half-brother, also named William., either to be set forth for public use, or to be kept in your Library, which is truly Royal Prince Henry was a noted book collector; his library eventually formed a significant part of the Old Royal Library, now held by the British Library..