MOST ILLUSTRIOUS

AND

MOST EXCELLENT

LORD!

Your remarkable and manifold benevolence shown toward my father has given me such courage that I did not fear to dedicate this my dissertation to your name and to commend it to your powerful patronage. For this kind of duty seemed to be required of me by the sincerity of a grateful mind; as I consider that the interests of my father are also my own, and that those whom he counts among the number of his supporters and those devoted to him must also be honored and thanked by me. Although this honor is not deferred to you so much as it redounds most greatly upon me; for as much splendor and ornament will now accrue to me from your name, as much honor does my father still consider it to be to himself.