DEDICATION

you may understand that this care has also been given: that they might increase the wealth of the human race. All those who have been granted the ability to judge the happiness of the human race and of Commonwealths original: "Rerum-publ."; referring to the state or the organized political community. have long since recognized that this wealth consists in truths of outstanding utility. Mathematical sciences original: "Scientiæ mathematicæ" were long ago reduced to such a form that they could be turned toward public and private uses. These, MOST WISE KING, you clearly perceived when you proved yourself a most brave Hero in war, and you perceive them even now, while, crowned with the triple diadem of kingdoms, you prepare golden ages original: "secula aurea"; a classical reference to a mythical era of peace and prosperity, here used to flatter the King’s rule. for the North original: "Septentrioni"; a term derived from the seven stars of the Great Bear constellation, used here to refer to the Northern European realms. with provident care