76 LEEUWENHOEK AND HIS ‘‘ LITTLE ANIMALS ”’ 
quarrel, if I have but the luck (as I have) that many great 
men also do accept of my discoveries.’ 
I’m well aware that these my writings will not be 
accepted by some, as they judge it to be impossible to 
make such discoveries: but I don’t bother about such 
contradictions. Among the ignorant, they’re still saying 
about me that I’m a conjuror, and that I show people 
what don’t exist: but they’re to be forgiven, they know 
no better.” 
I well know there are whole Universities that won’t 
believe there are living creatures in the male seed : but 
such things don’t worry me, I know I’m in the right.’ 
These sayings are typical of Leeuwenhoek, though they 
are but random samples: I will not rob his readers of the 
pleasure of finding for themselves many another equally good. 
Almost every letter he ever wrote contains some remark 
which throws light upon his character—especially his last 
letters, written when he was very old. ‘These, as might be 
expected, are crammed with the reminiscences of a lifetime 
spent in the solitary contemplation and interrogation of 
Nature. All his long life he kept on asking questions of 
Nature—whose own favourite child he was—in common 
colloquial old-fashioned Dutch, and trying in his simple way 
to understand her answers made in a pure and perfect language 
which we still cannot interpret correctly. But it is for the 
poet—not for the scientist or historian—to portray our Child 
of Nature in communion with his Mother. I cannot even 
attempt the task, and must now merely chronicle the last 
chapters in a prosaic life packed with the stuff of scientific 
and artistic dreams. 
In 1707, when he was in his 75th year, the Royal Society 
sent to ask after Leeuwenhoek’s health—being anxious because 
" Send-brief XXX, p. 304. 
* Send-brief XXXII, p. 317. 
* Send-brief XLI, p. 405. 
