E P I S T L E.

Dedicatory Letter

universe, as if they could not dwell on small things without being diverted from those that are more important. I am in this confidence, SIRE, by the knowledge that I have, along with the whole world, of Your Majesty’s Genius In the 17th century, "Genius" (Génie) referred to a person's innate spirit, talent, and guiding character, which shows that there are spirits so vast, and who treat things in so noble a manner, that however sublime they may be, they can descend to the smallest matters without stooping, just as they can reach the highest and embrace the greatest without effort. And I believe there is no one who is not convinced that Your Majesty must have a particular esteem for Architecture, if one considers that this Science Perrault characterizes architecture as a "science" to elevate it from a mere trade to an intellectual and mathematical discipline being that which provides War with its most powerful assistance A reference to military architecture, such as fortifications and siege engines, and from which Peace holds its most sumptuous ornaments, it could not fail to be loved by a Prince who delights equally in gathering the fruits of Peace and cultivating them through the labors of War. One can also be assured that this Science will have no cause to regret the greatness of Augustus Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, who famously claimed to have found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble, since it will find in that of Your Majesty everything that can give luster to its works: and that all those who possess any genius will feel capable of the boldest enterprises and the noblest designs, when they are animated by the honor of working for the glory of a King who is the astonishment of our age, and who will be the admiration of the future. For my part, SIRE, however small the portion may be that I can claim of this honor to which everyone aspires, I shall always consider myself infinitely happy to obtain it if possible, since one cannot be with more zeal and respect than I am,

Founded in 1666 by Jean-Baptiste Colbert under Louis XIV to encourage French scientific research