TO
The Consuls, Quæstors, Tribunes,
and other illustrious and great Men of the senatorial Order at
Berne.
I am indebted to you for many great obligations, most illustrious and great men; and lately you have done me the honour to confer a most noble and unexpected favour upon me. It is but just that I should by words thank those to whom I am incapable of making any other return; and such a testimony of gratitude I will shew them as long as I live. It is proper that, being publickly graced by your favours, I should make a public acknowledgment, and give some pledge of my gratitude, however mean and inadequate. Receive therefore, most illustrious and excellent men, and deign to receive favourably, this first though feeble proof of my diligence in my new office. May the Almighty enable me to promote the public interest of the academy by more considerable and more valuable productions, and may the hopes which you have conceived of me, venerable fathers of your country, and the hopes which the people have conceived concerning this new professorship, be fulfilled to general satisfaction. May the propitious Deity likewise favour all your public and private undertakings, and shower all his choicest blessings both upon you and yours, and the whole commonwealth. And cease not, reverend fathers, to make happy, by your constant benevolence and favour, a man entirely devoted to the service of your excellencies.
S. A. Tissot.
Lausanne,
April 29, 1766.