I Do here most humbly lay this _small_ Present at _Your Majesties_ Royal feet. And though it comes accompany’d with two _disadvantages_, the _meanness_ of the _Author_, and of the _Subject_; yet in both I am _incouraged_ by the _greatness_ of your _Mercy_ and your _Knowledge_. By the _one_ I am taught, that you can _forgive_ the most _presumptuous Offendors_: And by the _other_, that you will not _esteem_ the least work of _Nature_, or _Art_, unworthy your _Observation_. Amidst the many _felicities_ that have accompani’d _your Majesties_ happy _Restauration_ and _Government_, it is none of the least considerable that _Philosophy_ and _Experimental Learning_ have _prosper’d_ under your _Royal Patronage_. And as the calm prosperity of your Reign has given us the _leisure_ to follow these _Studies_ of _quiet_ and _retirement_, so it is just, that the _Fruits_ of them should, by way of _acknowledgement_, be return’d to _your Majesty_. There are, Sir, several other of your Subjects, of your _Royal Society_, now busie about _Nobler_ matters: The _Improvement_ of _Manufactures_ and _Agriculture_, the _Increase_ of _Commerce_, the _Advantage_ of _Navigation_: In all which they are _assisted_ by _your Majesties Incouragement_ and _Example_. Amidst all those _greater_ Designs, I here presume to bring in that which is more _proportionable_ to the _smalness_ of my Abilities, and to offer some of the _least_ of all _visible things_, to that _Mighty King_, that has _establisht an Empire_ over the best of all _Invisible things_ of this World, the _Minds_ of Men. Your Majesties most humble and most obedient Subject and Servant, ROBERT HOOKE. * * * * * TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY.