Theater of Machines, Volume 4

without small expenses, having had it translated from the aforementioned foreign languages for the benefit of the German nation.

Since, according to all this, it does not seem advisable to me to present this book to the world without the protection of certain patrons, and as I am sufficiently aware that your noble and well-wise selves not only have a great fondness for this art but partly also possess a great knowledge of it—as I have myself seen a demonstration of the trispasto lifting system here in Leipzig by Mr. Leonhard Oelhafen von Schöllenbach, Master Builder of Breslau, which is the origin and, as it were, the foundation of many other machines—and since I also know that your noble and well-wise selves are at all times well-affected and gracious toward me, and I consider you sufficiently able to defend and protect this, my modest work, against the critics, I have not wanted to fail to dedicate this fourth part of the Theatrum Machinarum to your noble and well-wise selves, to show myself grateful for the honor and friendship so often shown to me. I do not doubt that your noble and well-wise selves will not only not let it displease you, but that, in case it should be necessary, you will graciously represent it against all slanderers and further graciously keep me and mine in your friendship and favor. I herewith commend you and the rest to God the Almighty for long-lasting health and every prosperous condition.

Your noble and well-wise selves'