Book 4 - Dedication
To the Honourable
Robert Boyle Esq;
SIR,
FTER I had finished the foregoing Books, In which, I conceive, as far as Glasses will yet lead us, I have clearly Describ’d and Delineated the Structure of a Plant; and have endeavour’d, in some part, to Unfold the Reason and Scope of Nature therein: I was willing to sit down, and leave what remained, to the Improvements of the Present and Succeeding Ages.
But in Discourse upon this Subject, You have been pleased frequently to insist, That I should by no means omit, to give likewise, some Examples of the Mechanisme of Nature in all the other Parts. The Performance whereof therefore, next to the Obedience I owe to the Royal Society, is to be looked upon, as a Due to the Authority which Your Judgment hath over me.
This I have said, that, if what is herein done, shall prove acceptable unto Learned Men; they may know, To whom they are once more to give their Thanks: After they have so often done it, upon (a better score) the Publishing of Your own Excellent Works. In which, there seems to be a Question, Whether Your Continual Endeavours, to enlarge the Bounds of Natural Knowledge, or Your Successes therein, have been the Greater. So that, whereas Nobility in some, doth only serve to lift them, like Jupiter’s Satellits, out of sight: You, by giving a greater Light, have drawn all Mens Eyes upon You. And whilest there are many, in all Ages, fond of Preheminency in the Conduct of Popular Affairs; who yet rarely hit the Mark they aim at; or aim at That they pretend: You have thought fit, rather to separate Your Self, to that more Innocent, and more Noble Sort of Wisdom, which lieth, not in the Arts of Conceiling, but in Discovering, the Truth of Things.
That we may have many to imitate You herein, cannot but be heartily wish’d by all, who regard the Honour of their own Country; as it is, with much Zeal, by
Sir,
Your most obedient
Servant
NEHEMJAH GREW.