TO THE ROYAL ACADEMY

OF SCIENCES AND LETTERS

OF COPENHAGEN

B. G. NIEBUHR.

I shall explain in few words why I have decided that this portion of the Byzantine corpus original: "Byzantini corporis" should be dedicated primarily to you, most distinguished gentlemen, and I hope that, unless I am greatly mistaken, it will meet with your approval. Learned societies, established for the culture and advancement of knowledge, seem to me to occupy the position of a Senate within the republic of letters original: "civitate litterata"—a position that even foreigners may approach to seek help when needed, to give thanks for benefits received, and to praise outstanding achievements. And if any foreigner may do this, how much more should it be granted to me by you, most distinguished men, who relies on the right of birth and the memory of duties once performed in the Republic with the applause of fellow citizens, and who will never cease to consider myself your countryman, especially since you have deemed me worthy of the honor of being a member of your college?

A circular institutional library stamp of the Taylor Institution, Oxford, is located in the bottom right corner.