The Book of Nature

Indeed, I was further strengthened in that hope when I considered with justice the evidence which your Most Noble and Honorable Lordships so clearly give of the tender passion with which you so powerfully encourage and awaken the sanctuary of human wisdom, the excellent sciences. Truly, I find that your desire extends as much to the continuation of useful and free arts as your care ensures that the richest treasures of the four corners of the world flow abundantly into the mild lap of this powerful merchant city. But never has anyone been born in Amsterdam who has more happily worked through or more fruitfully promoted the knowledge of things produced by Nature—this is truly the most important of sciences. If the City Garden, through the luxuriant display of the most distinguished plants, carries the mind of the viewer away in wonder; if the city, which excels far above all others, has long boasted of the inventions of anatomy, which have become known to the world from within its walls; because all that is required for this is so richly granted there; then this monument, which everyone views with the utmost wonder, should not be unwelcome! Indeed, Nature herself, through her own hands and art, in this city, through this citizen of the city, had formed, composed, and erected it. Alas, how close it was to being lost! I have tracked it, found it, and restored it to the gentle Mother. I have brought back the lost child, who had fallen into slavery, to his own happy dwelling-place, and I now quietly deliver it to his powerful and kind protectors!

If my undertaking for this dedication is not rejected, then I shall happily boast of my luck in having found the long-sought opportunity to testify publicly to the reverence I hold for you, Most Noble and Honorable Gentlemen.

May God grant that YOU guard long, bravely, wisely, and happily the common good of Fatherland and City, protecting them from decline! May liberty, equity, justice, peace, and the noble arts flourish under your blessing and continuation! If these, banished elsewhere, were to flee, may they then, under YOUR patronage and maintenance, be received within the diligent bulwarks of this powerful city and enjoy a peaceful refuge there! This is the sincere and humble prayer of me, who am and will always remain, in reverence for your high standing and virtues,

Most Noble, Most Honorable Gentlemen,
Your Most Noble and Honorable Lordships',
Leiden, 15 December, 1736.
Most humble servant,
HERMAN BOERHAAVE.