DEDICATION 67 



the extent of my reading, and the amount of my pains ; because 

 I profess both to learn and to teach anatomy, not from books 

 but from dissections; not from the positions of philosophers but 

 from the fabric of nature; and then because I do not think it 

 right or proper to strive to take from the ancients any honor 

 that is their due, nor yet to dispute with the moderns, and enter 

 into controversy with those who have excelled in anatomy and 

 been my teachers. I would not charge with wilful falsehood any 

 one who was sincerely anxious for truth, nor lay it to any one's 

 door as a crime that he had fallen into error. I avow myself 

 the partisan of truth alone; and I can indeed say that I have 

 used all my endeavours, bestowed all my pains on an attempt 

 to produce something that should be agreeable to the good, 

 profitable to the learned, and useful to letters. 

 Farewell, most worthy Doctors, 



And think kindly of your Anatomist, 

 WILLIAM HARVIY. 



