An attempt for the explication of the phænomena observable in an experiment published by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq., in the XXXV experiment of his epistolical discourse touching the aire in confirmation of a former conjecture made by R.H.

To the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq

Sir,

THe honour you were pleased to do me, in put∣ting me upon this enqui∣ry, did not a little animate and encourage me to persevere in what I had begun with so happy an Omen. My good Success therefore herein, if any, is whol∣ly to be ascribed to your self; as being the first Excitor and chief Abettor of it. And therefore I hope that may be my excuse, for craving You so great a Patron thereunto, in that I could not have entitled it to any other without a manifest Injury to Your Honour; whose Graci∣ous

countenancing of it, justly requires my utmost Gratitude. I must therefore with the Persian offer to you, as he to the Sun, what he believes himself to have received from it. And therefore I trust my endeavouring to soar a∣loft with the Eagle, to enjoy the Influence of the most Glorious Light of the world, will find a Pardon, and be judged much better, than a hovering and flut∣tering with the silly Fly about the dim and fading Flame of a candle, that at best, will but singe those wings that raised it so high, and in stead of giving it more Vigour, will wholly disin∣able it for the like Future At∣tempts. I am not a little sensible indeed, that the Minuteness both of the thing and its Author, may seem to make it a Present very

unfit for so great a Personage. But yet I am in hope, that like the poor man, that seeing many Noble and Rich, hasting to meet Artaxerxes, with their Splendid and Sumptuous Gifts, would needs carry somthing too, and though 'twas but a little water fetch'd out of the River in the Palms of his Hands, yet addres∣sing himself, he presented it with an unexpected acceptance, I also may be happy in the like success, with this Oblation, which is but a few drops taken out of the Ri∣ver (as I may so speak) of the Phaenomena of Nature (which passes by, and is scarce regarded by any, though free for all) that is, some few observations, which though but mean and obvious, yet I think scarce diligently ta∣ken notice of by any; and though

jumbled together in a careless, if any Method, yet the best I had leisure to throw it into. And though delivered in a Style no∣thing elegant, yet I hope (which was my greatest aim) it may serve (with your favourable con∣struction of it) to signifie the de∣sire I have of expressing my self most affectionately to be

Sir,

Your Honours most Faithful and most Humble Servant, Robert Hooke.