TO THE HIGH

AND MIGHTY

PRINCE

CHARLES;

Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall,

York, Albany, and Rothesay: Marquess of

Ormond, Earl of Ross; and Baron of Ar-

manoch: High Steward of Scotland: Lord

of the Isles; and Knight of the

most noble Order of the

Garter. 6 H e 11

If in former ages (most noble Prince) the mathematical studies were held fitting for Princes, I doubt not but in these times, they may implore (by your favorable admittance) the approval and defense of your gracious patronage; which emboldens me the rather to presume the dedication of these my labors to your Highness's protection. Wisdom is defined by Cicero as the knowledge of divine and human things original: "divinarum atq. humanarum rerum scientia", of the former part of which definition...