A rectangular decorative woodcut header featuring elaborate scrollwork, flowers, and foliage.

TO THE WELL-BORN, NOBLE, AND MEN DISTINGUISHED BY THE MOST AMPLE DIGNITY, THE LORDS PREFECTS, CONSULS, AND SENATORS OF THE RENOWNED REPUBLIC OF AUGSBURG, HIS LORDS TO BE REVERED.

ANDREAS LIBAVIVS, DOCTOR OF MEDICINE, SENDS MANY GREETINGS.

Large historiated initial 'T' showing a figure in a rural landscape with trees and a building in the distance.NOT only for many other reasons, illustrious men, is that Republic of yours celebrated throughout the whole world, but especially because in every kind of the most excellent arts and sciences it nourishes distinguished men and very famous craftsmen; the love and zeal with which you cherish and adorn them is shown not only by your most ample patronage, but also by the gathering and efforts of the many who, being excellently instructed in every art, hasten to betake themselves to you. Therefore, your Republic has become, as it were, a hostelry of all manner of wisdom and a sanctuary of all virtue; by which good things I indeed am able to be delighted, though I am unable to contribute anything more excellent. But who would forbid me to bear witness in deed to that very thing which is expressed in words? I offer to you a new book concerning CHYMISTRY, and I dedicate it to you—not because you are lacking in that discipline, of which you are most ready cultivators, but so that it may be publicly known that you are its authors and defenders, and that this may agree with the judgment of good men.

I do not consecrate a part of this art to you, but the whole, discovered by the most excellent craftsmen through long experience of things, yet not hitherto reduced into a methodical form; which I trust I have attempted, so far as God has supplied help, even if I have not fully achieved it. But there is no reason for me to detain you with more words. The thing itself will commend itself. Your desks are full of the most excellent works dedicated to you: if, alongside those, you grant this one some small corner, it is enough. If any virtue be in it, it will shine even in the darkness. Farewell. At Rothenburg ob der Tauber.