DEDICATION.

appeared far more advisable and preferable than to send individual letters to individuals. For thus I would have received scattered judgments, and perhaps I would have written to some about things on which another could have judged more correctly, not to mention the difficulty of sending them. Now, in one volume, all can look upon the entire plan. Thus, the matter has been more justly comprised in a book. But in truth, many do not easily agree unless bound by one certain link and reduced to concord in one thing. Since, therefore, it would have to depend upon the rule of one, I have brought the minds of all, as if perceived, to your Amplitude, noble Men, whom I humbly ask to wish to embrace this work with your authority and protection. This labor befits the State of the Empire and a noble Republic. For where an Aristocracy has conspired with a Monarchy, namely, the most praiseworthy species of political governments, into an agreeable temperament for the form of the best Empire: there it is necessary, just as they abound in every other best thing, that there also be a safeguard for excellent letters. And the Republic so excellently constituted fosters for you not only, as I have learned from trustworthy sources, other industrious men not alien to the study of chemical contemplations and operations, but also MARTIN