An ornate horizontal woodcut headpiece features symmetrical scrolling foliage, floral patterns, and central stylized motifs.

TO MONSIEUR FRANCOIS

d’Hastings, &c.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'M' is set within an intricate background of floral and foliate patterns, marking the beginning of the address.

Monsieur, beyond the fact that my own insignificance might rebuke me—or even convict me of an immeasurable boldness—for attempting to join your illustrious name with anything originating from myself, the very title attributed to the creators of what is described in this book (calling them mechanical) so disparages the work that merely speaking of it to you seems a heavy and altogether inexcusable fault. In the 16th century, "mechanical" arts were often looked down upon by the aristocracy as lowly manual labor, distinct from the "liberal" arts of the mind. Besson is pre-emptively defending his profession. But to respond first to this last point: those who know the value of this word Mechanical in the Greek language original: "langue Greque" from which it was taken—where it signifies nothing other than an inventor or builder of engines and machines, the use of which extends to everything required in this present life, whether for necessity, ornament and honest recreation, or in times of war or peace—will judge this most excellent science (I say truly a demonstrative science) A "demonstrative science" science demonstratiue refers to a field of study where truths are proven through logical, mathematical, or physical evidence rather than mere opinion. not according to common misuse, but according to the truth. And thus they will grant me that among the arts consisting of practice, there is not one more delightful for the elegance of its inventions, nor more useful—indeed, more necessary on infinite occasions and in every manner of living:

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it would also be difficult to find any art more worthy of being known and practiced through the aid of the great, who are ordained by God to help and relieve the small. This could be greatly expanded upon and proven by vast and invincible reasons, but I will content myself with stating one for all: namely, that if the contemplation of the proportions of numbers, points, and measures in artificial things is useless unless it is applied to action, it follows that mechanics is the fruit of geometry, and consequently, its very goal. Besson argues that theoretical mathematics (geometry) is incomplete without its practical application (mechanics). Furthermore, far from great Emperors and Kings despising it, many of them have instead been lovers of the craft, even to the point of practicing it themselves.