Dear Sir

You were so indulgent to me when I troubled you with a communication last summer¹ that I presume on your kindness so far as to take the liberty of offering for your acceptance the accompanying little book in the hope that you may look kindly on my endeavour to make plain by familiar language and illustration the general principles of the subject to which it relates.² It is intended chiefly for young ladies but I trust this circumstance alone would not cause you to consider it beneath your notice,³ for it is precisely those who have attained the greatest eminence in the pursuit of science who might be expected to feel pleasure in the thought that others however far removed from them, should be led to share in some degree, the happiness which the study of nature is capable of affording. Therefore I working for those who have yet their alphabet to learn, venture to hope that my attempt may find favour from you—at the other end of the scale—who have done more than any other to arouse general interest in the science you love so well and who have made plain for future explorers— the path in which henceforward they must all proceed—

I remain dear Sir | yours respectfully | Lydia E. Becker