The Magnetic Kingdom of Nature

I decided it should be inscribed to John. The catchword JOAN- and the text fragment suggest a dedication to Don John of Austria, the prominent military leader and patron to whom this work was dedicated. Furthermore, it will be the task of the Benevolent Reader original: "Benevoli Lectoris," a standard address to the reader in early modern books to kindly excuse those things which perhaps were not explained with such great clarity in this volume. One should weigh with a sincere balance of judgment how difficult it is to open a path to the hidden recesses of properties, which Nature original: "Natura" intended to be known only to a few. Finally, whatever these findings may be, I trust they will be of some benefit to the glory of the Divine Name original: "Divini Nominis" and to the service of the public good original: "boni publici".

Farewell, and look with favor upon my undertakings.