Antonii a Leeuwenhoek ... Epistolae physiologicae super compluribus naturae arcanis

The Most Excellent Prince of Lichtenstein, accompanied by two men of primary note, came to my house to feast his eyes upon my experiments and observations. After some delay, the same Prince whom I mentioned asked me if I wished to go to The Hague to show certain of my observations and inventions to the Catholic King. Since I willingly agreed to the request, which was very honorable to me, he added that he would notify me when it would be convenient for Your Majesty to find time to inspect the experiments I had mentioned.

But two or three days later, when the wind blew from the east, Your Majesty committed yourself to the sea: by this sudden departure I missed the honor that I had so greatly hoped for; nor was it granted to me to behold Your Majesty