The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (1729)/Dedication
TO
Sir HANS SLOANE
BARONET,
PRESIDENT
OF THE
College of Physicians,
AND OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY.
- SIR,
HE generous zeal You always shew for whatever tends to the progress and advancement of Learning, both demands demands and receives the universal acknowledgments of all who profess or value its several branches.
They justly admire that admidst a close attendance on the cares of your Profession, in which You now fill the most honourable Seat, You are indefatigably promoting the improvement of natural knowledge, by carrying on some laudable designs of your own, by assisting and encouraging others, and by adding new stores to that immense treasure, already brought into your extensive collection, of whatever is rare and valuable in nature or art. Your beneficent disposition to countenance and favour Science and Literature, has procured You the esteem of the Learned over all the World; and has induced a Body of Men, the most eminent for their skill and diligence in all useful enquiries, and in pursuing discoveries for the public good, to make choice of You, to supply the place of Him, whose Name will be an everlasting honour to our age and nation.
To whom therefore but to You should I offer to inscribe the translation of the most celebrated Work of your Illustrious Predecessor? which, on account of its incomparable Author, and from the dignity of the Subject, claims and deserves your acceptance, even tho' it pass'd thro' my hands: a less valuable Piece I should not have presumed to present You with. I am, with the greatest respect,
- SIR,
- Your most obedient, and
- most humble Servant,
- Andr. Motte