Title page

Translation of the title-page, with the colophon: "Done into English by the Endeavours of Edmund Packe, 1707."

This is followed by a dedication to the translator's father, reading as follows:

"To his much honoured, and reverend Father, the Translation of this Treatise is humbly dedicated. Reverend Sir, This being the first fruits of my proficiency in this Nature, as well as the result of that Learning your Extraordinary Education has furnished me with, I should think it ungratefull nay even unjust, were they not inscribed to you, who are the Author of ye Writer, and consequently the Writing. Besides, Sir, were it not upon this consideration resolv'd on by me to lay this work at your feet, yet your immense knowledge and acquaintance with ye choicest Secrets of Nature, as also with the State and condition of the CEconomy, the whole fabrick of Mankind, would very reasonably induce me to offer them to you, & you alone. Whosoever 'tis that holds that Maxim, Alexandrum se plus præceptori quam Philippo patri debuisse, let him tell me, who 'tis is the cause, first of life and then of preserving Life, but above all of imprinting those principles, & marking out as it were those steps by which ye son is to frame ye Course of his Life. Who pray but ye Father? If I grant that Alexander did ow more to his Father, I may say then that 'twas his misfortune to have had a Father incapable of directing him in the knowledge of things: but blessed be God, 'tis my lot to have had a parent, that hath not only given me life, but that is able also to instruct me in whatsoever is necessary to compleat the happiness of ye same Life. I shall add no more, Sir, but only beg Leave that you will take this as your due given, & not impute it to the presumption of Yr obedient son till death, EDMUND PACKE." "January ye 1st 1707/8."

This is followed by a translation of the Author's Preface.