The Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria

...that had brought upon them the negligence and ignorance of many past centuries; he illustrated them in such a manner, with as many honorable labors as the whole world knows he has left behind, that many, and many more, were induced under his guidance to apply their study to them. Such that it happened in a short time that, just as at first they were poorly known and obscure to most men, so now few are found among those who have a taste for polite letters, to whom these are not more than familiar. All of which, it is very true, must be recognized as coming from the study and diligence of Commandino, as an instrument that contributed to such an operation; but principally? from Your Serene Highness as the primary cause, from where that motion began, which has successively drawn this good consequence after it. Since whatever he operated, and whatever he was worth, was particularly because of the help and favors that he received from you in many ways. Therefore, the same proportion that effects have with their first causes, it is necessary to say that the works and fruits of those who have had the occasion of their knowledge from this origin, have with Your Serene Highness. Therefore I conclude that it could not by reason be gifted, if not only to you, this labor, although otherwise unworthy of you (as for that part which it retains from me), which, although it is many years, and even from that time when Commandino passed to a better life, was done by me at the request of his heirs; nevertheless...