Observationes circa viventia, quae in rebus non viventibus reperiuntur cum micrographia curiosa

and in a certain way represent the hidden recesses of the mines, so that their opulent treasures, scattered throughout the whole world, may be viewed in a single glance.

Truly, from all these things, it is permissible to augur what kind of man the learned world will admire in your mature age, whom Rome already admires as such in your youth. The fame of your name already attracts foreigners, so that no one who visits Rome departs without having known you more closely. Stars have this quality from their own light: that they reveal themselves eloquently to everyone when they appear. You praise yourself more effectively than by the exaggerated eulogies of others, since you merely show yourself and excite the love of all those whom you most humanely admit into your ancestral and learned retreats.

To this is added the singular benevolence that you have often shown me through many arguments, and all these things rightfully claim this work for themselves, so that it may be inscribed to you.