EPISTLE

...might declare my gratitude (which I desired to do, as was fitting), I hesitated for some time. But now, as I am finally about to publish this little book on stones and gems, while seeking a patron A patron provided financial support or social protection to an author in exchange for the prestige of the dedication. for it according to custom, you were the very first to come to my mind. This was both for the reasons mentioned before and because, among the other virtues with which you adorn your homeland, the greatest modesty of life and a kind humanity toward all good men—especially those devoted to letters original: "literarum studiosos," referring to scholars or students of the humanities.—continually shine forth in you.

Indeed, I also have need of these qualities for this scholarly labor original: "lucubrationem," literally "work done by lamplight," implying late-night study., seeing as it is much rougher and more imperfect than I had desired. Moreover, the leisure to perfect it was not only lacking at present, but I did not see it becoming possible for me to complete it even within the next year or two, provided that my life should last. Therefore, I preferred to present what I was able to provide at this time to you, the best and most kind patron, rather than delay any longer.

As for the order of the book: I did not wish to follow an alphabetical arrangement, as that is too common and trivial; nor did I wish to refer each item to its own class according to the logic of its substance. For this I will do in the second book (in which the power and nature of every kind of stones and metals and...