The Book of Nature

Moreover, the just consideration of the documents, which provide the most brilliant evidence of the immense love with which you cherish the sacred places of the Muses the arts and sciences and the most illustrious of the arts, strengthened the hope I had conceived. You certainly attend to the promotion of the sciences with the same diligence with which you take care that the treasures of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the New World be brought into the bosom of your wealthy city. Yet among the citizens of Amsterdam, no other has existed who cultivated the knowledge of natural things—easily the principal of disciplines—more successfully or promoted it more fortunately. If the city garden carries away the minds of those observing it with a proud spectacle of plants; if this Prince of Cities has long shone among all others through anatomical discoveries; while you liberally supply the subsidies for both; may this monument, which we admire here erected, also be grateful. Nature herself, with her own thumb, in Amsterdam, had fashioned it through a citizen of Amsterdam, but which, alas, had almost perished. I sought it, I found it, and I brought the offspring back to its nurturing Mother. I commit it, having returned to its home, to the propitious and protecting gods. In this matter, if the spirit of the dedicator is not disapproved, I will happily praise my fortunes, having obtained the sought-after opportunity to testify publicly with what reverence I hold you, Most Noble and Most Ample men.

May GOD grant that you watch over the public interests of the Fatherland and the City for a long time, bravely, wisely, and happily, so that they may not suffer any detriment! With you as leaders and patrons, may Liberty, Equity, Justice, Peace, and the liberal arts flourish. If these were proscribed elsewhere, may they find quiet homes, received in safe walls by your gift and your work! I strive to obtain this with sincere and suppliant prayers, I who am, and will always be,

Leiden, 15 December, in the year of our Lord 1736.