I have several times been pressed by various gentlemen to put on paper what I have seen through my recently invented microscope. I have constantly declined to do so, first because I have no style or pen to express my thoughts properly, secondly because I have not been brought up in languages or arts, but in trade, and thirdly because I do not feel inclined to stand blame or refutation from others.
Pressed by Dr. Reg. de Graaf I have thought better of my intention and given him a memorial of what I observed concerning mould, the sting and some articulations of the bee, and also the sting of the louse, which memorial he (Mr. de Graaf) has forwarded to you and informed me of your reply. I see from this that my observations were not unwelcome to the Royal Society, and that these Gentlemen were anxious to see the figures of the sting and articulations of the bee which there I state to have seen.
As I am not a draughtsman myself, I have had them drawn for me, but the proportions have not been observed as accurately as I could have wished. Also each figure has been seen and drawn through a particular magnifying glass; I am sending you these enclosed.
I beg you and the Gentlemen under whose eyes this happens to come, to bear in mind that my observations and opinions are only the result of my own impulse and curiosity and that there are in this town no amateurs who, like me, dabble in this art. Take my simple pen, my boldness and my opinions for what they are; they follow without any particular order.
