Theater of Mathematical and Mechanical Instruments

so to speak, not only with the mind to understand their principles, but also with their very hands, as much as their high status could allow. Witnesses to this, among others, are that great King of Syracuse, Hiero; Demetrius, King of Asia; and Hadrian, one of the most illustrious Roman emperors. Hiero II of Syracuse was a patron of Archimedes; Demetrius I "Poliorcetes" was famous for commissioning massive siege engines; and the Emperor Hadrian was a noted architect and patron of the arts. Furthermore, most of these great lords of antiquity have no less perpetuated their memory through the chisels of workmen—whose ruined works we admire today—than through the books of learned and eloquent historians. And as for the fact that, being so humble, I dare to address myself to you, Monsieur, two things shall protect me from this fault: namely, your humane and gracious nature, and the excellence of the one whose work I present to you. Regarding this work, I am certain (knowing your truly noble and refined mind to be inclined toward such studies) that you will take no less pleasure in the ingenuity and usefulness of the inventions contained herein than many others might gain profit by putting them into practice.

Nevertheless, so that no one thinks I am showing off or "adorning myself with another's feathers," original: "me pare des plumes d’autruy." A reference to Aesop's fable of the bird who tried to pass off borrowed feathers as its own; Béroalde is clarifying that while he edited the text, the inventions belong to Jacques Besson. I present to you, along with the illustrations of the machines which belong to the author, the explanation of them; without which they would truly be, for many people, like a body without a soul. Had God granted the author of this book the grace of a longer life, there is no doubt that the work would have left his hand much more polished and complete in all its parts. Jacques Besson died around 1573, leaving this work to be completed and expanded by others like Béroalde. Even so, I hope that my labor in this regard will be judged by those knowledgeable in these matters as neither small nor in vain. I most humbly beseech you, Monsieur, to look kindly upon this little work of mine and to allow your illustrious name to serve as its frontispiece, as a most fortunate encounter that will make it better received by all fair-minded people and preserve it from the slanders of the envious.

From Basel, this first day of October, 1578.

An ornamental woodcut tailpiece features symmetrical scrollwork, floral motifs, and a central pendant element hanging from a decorative bar.