One of Leeuwenhoek's own countrymen has recently called
me his "greatest living admirer." ¹ I am proud to admit the
accusation, and this book gives some of the grounds for my
conceit. But the foregoing pages are not meant as an appeal
to the reader's emotions -- only to his reason. "How Dogma-
tical soever my Assertions may seem to be, yet do I not affect
the unreasonable Tyranny of obtruding upon the Faith of any.
He that speaketh Reason, may be rather satisfied, in being
understood, than believed." ² Consequently, if my poor labours
succeed in robbing me of a title which I hold but temporarily
and precariously, they will not have been wholly in vain; and
I shall be the first to rejoice when I am deposed from a
position which I do not deserve, cannot maintain, and have
never sought.

As I aim at nothing but Truth, and, so far as in me
lieth, to point out Mistakes that may have crept into
certain Matters; I hope that in so doing those I chance
to censure will not take it ill: and if they would expose
any Errors in my own Discoveries, I'd esteem it a
Service; all the more, because Would thereby give me
Encouragement towards the Attaining of a nicer
Accuracy. ³

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