Sir,

Reiterated Favours claim a Repetition of Acknowledgments; should the latter be as frequent as the former, they might prove rather troublesome to you, than acceptable. I have therefore resolv’d once for all to express how sensible I am of the many Obligations I lye under. You would not perhaps be pleas’d, should I go about to enumerate them, because great Minds never look back upon what Courtesies they have bestow’d, being always intent upon what farther Acts of Generosity they may perform.

Among the many other Testimonies of your Bounty, there is one I am here oblig’d particularly to mention, which is your having admitted of the Dedication of so small a Work as the Translation of Cieza’s Travels in Peru. Your Acceptance of that Part has encourag’d me to prefix your Name to the Whole, now grown up into two Volumes, that it may honour them both in the Front, as it gives Reputation to the first in that Place, where it shall remain as a Demonstration of your Condescension, as this is of your Right and my Gratitude. I shall therefore avoid any Repetition of what is there said, or adding more here to display your Merit. Neither am I capable of giving your Character, nor will you consent to it, which puts me upon a Necessity of cutting short; lest my own Inclination and your Desert insensibly draw me on to attempt what I am not qualify’d to go through with. True Virtue can be no more conceal’d than the Splendor of the Sun, nor does it stand in need of outward Ornaments to set it off; you have render’d your self too conspicuous to be unknown, and can receive no Addition from my poor Endeavours. The Design of these Lines is, at the same Time, to honour my Work with your Patronage, and to express my Acknowledgment and Gratitude for all Favours already receiv’d; wishing this may stand a perpetual Monument of both, and to you all Increase of Happiness; and I shall always own my self

Sir,

Your most Obliged, and most

Devoted Humble Servant

JOHN STEVENS.