To pen a dedication skilfully is generally the most difficult part of an Author's task; but a dedication to ROYALTY is so delicate a matter, that I almost tremble for the success of my undertaking—tremble lest I should fail to express myself dutifully, gratefully, properly; though I am not without hope that your Majesty's goodness will graciously extend to the Author that degree of indulgence of which he is sensible he stands so much in need, especially as nothing unbecoming a dutiful subject to write, or improper for a gracious Sovereign to read, is intended to be here expressed.

As, however, every colony of Bees, wherever domiciled, whether in a box, or in a cottage-hive, in the roof of a house, or in the trunk of a hollow-tree, is under an admirable government, the presiding head and Sovereign of which is a QUEEN,—as no colony of Bees, deprived of its QUEEN, ever prospers, or long survives such loss,—as this insect government, or government of insects, exhibits to man the most perfect pattern of devoted attachment, and of true allegiance on the part of the subject Bees to their Sovereign, and of industry, ingenuity, prosperity, and apparently of general happiness in their well-ordered state,—and as these most curious and valuable little creatures have hitherto been most cruelly treated—have been, and still are, annually sacrificed by millions, for the sake of their sweet treasure; I do feel a pleasure, and think there is a sort of analogical propriety, in dedicating to your Gracious Majesty this work, the leading feature of which is—Humanity to Honey-Bees. Under your Majesty's fostering and influential Patronage, I cannot but anticipate that this object will be essentially promoted, and that the management of Bees, in this country at least, will not hereafter reflect disgrace upon their owners.

In this pleasing hope, I humbly beg to subscribe myself,

YOUR MAJESTY's
most dutiful
and
most grateful
Subject and Servant,
THOMAS NUTT.

Moulton-Chapel, Lincolnshire,
Nov. 27th, 1832.