JOSEPH FORTUNATUS DE GRIPPIS

OF MILANESE ORIGIN, FROM COMO.

original: "MEDIOL. ORIGINE NOVOCOMEN." The author identifies himself with both Milan (Mediolanum) and Como (Novocomum) in Northern Italy.

FOR TWENTY-NINE YEARS HE SURVEYED

original: "ANNIS IX. SUPRA XX." Literally "nine years above twenty."

THE PRINCIPAL LIBRARIES OF EUROPE.

WELCOMED BY ACADEMIES.

IN DIALOGUES OF PHILOSOPHY

TOUCHING UPON THE DUTIES OF THE STATE

THROUGH A NEW ASTRONOMICAL SYSTEM

DISTINGUISHED.

WELL-REGARDED BY THE IMPERIAL SOVEREIGNS.

original: "BENEVOLUS CÆSARAUGUSTIS." Referring to the Holy Roman Emperors.

TO JOSEPH II.

ON THE ESTABLISHED LAWS OF THE EMPIRE.

Joseph II (1741–1790) was the Holy Roman Emperor and a proponent of "enlightened absolutism."

TO LEOPOLD II.

ON HEAVENLY INFLUENCES.

Leopold II (1747–1792) succeeded his brother Joseph II as Emperor. This title likely deals with astrology or the physical effects of celestial bodies.

AND TO THE GREAT EMPEROR OF RUSSIA

TO ALEXANDER I.

ON SUPERSTITION AND THE SHACKLES OF DEMONS

Alexander I (1777–1825) was Tsar of Russia. This work appears to be a rationalist or theological critique of folk beliefs.

WITH TYCHO’S CALENDAR ACCURATELY AMENDED.

Refers to Tycho Brahe (1546–1601), the famous Danish astronomer whose data remained the gold standard for centuries.

DEDICATED, CONSECRATED, DEVOTED.

original: "D. D. D." — a standard Latin abbreviation for Dat, Dicat, Dedicat.

A work worthy of a King in every way; nothing more excellent than this

Has FORTUNATUS produced: his deeds shine through his name.

original: "Rege opus undique dignum... FORTUNATUS egit." This is a play on the author's name, as "Fortunatus" means "The Fortunate" or "The Favored" one.