To all Learned and JudiciousProfessorsofPhysick,as well as Ingenuous and ExperiencedPractisersofMidwifery.
To all Learned and JudiciousProfessorsofPhysick,as well as Ingenuous and ExperiencedPractisersofMidwifery.
Most ExcellentSocieties,
Most ExcellentSocieties,
Most ExcellentSocieties,
Most ExcellentSocieties,
I Have generally observ’d, thatMenaddress theirWorksto improper Hands;someaim atPersonagestoo great, to regard them;othersstoop toMentoo unlearned, to defend them:Someagain make theirCourtand apply to Persons in Vogue or in Place, andotherscringe and creep afterPurse-proud Patrons: But as I pursue notthe common Designs ofDedicators, so I have studied no subterfuges ofFlattery, nor Flourishes ofPanegyrickin thisDedication. I know, that, whatever myPerformancemay prove, asubstantialWorkwill stand securely upon its own Bottom, and make its way into the World, without anysecondary Helps; whereas a slightDefective Piecewill fall and be quash’d, tho’ it should evenstrutwithMajestyitself in its glaringFront.
Had I then presum’d upon any particularVoucherfor theFemale Physician, it would have look’d like acknowledgingGuiltand seeking forDefence; BecauseYou, and none else, are thecompetent Judgesin Affairs of this Nature:Godhaving entrustedyouonly with theLivesof Men; andyou(underHim) being the SolePreserversofLifeand the greatDistributersofHealth, I have thought it myDutyto make this solemn Application toyour August Societiesin general; and in this manner to render you some smallAccountof theTALENT, which some of your selves have entrusted me with forImprovement.
In fine, yourfamous Fraternitiesbeing universally celebrated for encouraging ofLearningand promotingIngenuity, You are still the more highly entitled to myEndeavoursin both respects; and I my self in all points ofHumanitythe more secure of your candidInterpretation. Theundertakingthen being yours byBirth, it has a NaturalClaim to yourCare; And it being theDutyof Men to provide for theirOff-Spring, it has a peculiar Right to yourPatronage. Wherefore, with all dueDeferenceand becomingSubmissionto yourwiser Judgments, I lay theDedicationas well as theWorkit self entirely at your Feet, in Hopes of your courteousReceptionand benignTutelageboth at Home and Abroad: Upon which (in short) I beg Leave to Subscribe my self, with profoundVeneration,
Your EminentSocieties,Most Faithful, andMost Obedient, ServantJohn Maubray.
Your EminentSocieties,Most Faithful, andMost Obedient, ServantJohn Maubray.
Your EminentSocieties,Most Faithful, andMost Obedient, Servant
Your EminentSocieties,
Most Faithful, and
Most Obedient, Servant
John Maubray.
John Maubray.