Antonio Magliabechi wrote to Leeuwenhoek, a letter "full of signs of extraordinary benevolence"
L. also wrote about these books in Letter 158 of 18 October 1695, Letter 159 of 31 October 1695, and Letter 162 of 22 December 1695.
For more about Baron Ricosoli, see note 2 to Letter 158 of 18 October 1695.
The duke is Cosima III De' Medici and the princes are Ferdinand De' Medici and his brother Gian Castone.
Leghorn is also called Livorno.
In Letter 173 to Magliabechi of 28 August 1696, Leeuwenhoek wrote,
From your letter, Illustrious Sir, of the sixth of March, full of signs of extraordinary benevolence towards me, I learned that my books, which I had entrusted to the Most Noble Baron Bettino Ricaroli, have been handed to You and that You will present one copy to the Most Serene Duke upon his return from Pisa to Florence.
From that moment I was very anxious to know how my work has been received, by the Most Serene Duke as well as by the princes. I was also desirous to know whether the packet of books sent by me to Leghorn, to the Most Excellent Consul of the Netherlands, has reached you, and at the same time whether my theses are not exposed to many objections, which is usually the common lot of all new things.
