[Dr. William Rand translated Gassendi's early Life of Peiresc into English as The Mirrour of True Nobility and Gentility. In this excerpt from the work's dedicatory epistle addressed to the diarist John Evelyn, Rand reveals his admiration for Gassendi's original text and for Gassendi himself.]

To the ingenious and learned Gentleman, the worshipful John Evelyn Esquire.

Worthy Sir,

Much about ten years are fled, since my learned friend Dr. Benjamin Worsley brought me first acquainted with the name and fame of Peireskius, and knowing that I delighted to busie my self in that kind, wished that I would render his history into English. And not long after, my good friend Squire Harlib seconded his Motion, and put the Latine Book into my hand, to take home with me and peruse and consider of. Which I did; but finding it so knottie a piece, both in respect of the matter, and the presse and elegantly concise style, of the learned and judicious Gassendus, I had not the courage to venture upon it; but restored my friend his Book, without any more adoe. Since which time having (during our intestine broiles in England) spent an ordinary Apprenticeship in Contemplation of the Belgic Provinces of Holland, Utrecht, Brabant, Flanders, and their many fair Citties and Universities, of which that of Lovaine seems likest ours, as much resembling Cambridge, in many respects: not long after my return, I was a fresh importuned by another friend, to let our Countreymen understand the Life of the renowned Peireskius. Which at last, though with very much diffidence, I did undertake and accomplish; and how I have therein acquitted my self, you are best able to judge; who besides your parts of wit and learning, know by experience the labour and care belonging to such works, and are best qualified to excuse an over-sight or mistake. You know that Gassendus a general Scholar, and one of the greatest wits in Europe, and a perfect Master of the Roman Language, comparable to any of the ancients, could not have taken in hand an Argument, that would have more effectually called forth, and employed the utmost of all his Activities, than to write the Life of this rare French Gentleman, whose sprightful curiosity left nothing unsearcht into, in the vast and all-comprehending Dominions of Nature and Art.