Letters 185 



nephew, when we were each of us severally in Florence. 

 I would wish, illustrious sir, to have your news as soon 

 as convenient : what you are about yourself, and what 

 you think of this work of mine ; for I make no case of 

 the opinions and criticisms of our pretenders to scholar- 

 ship, who have nothing but levity in their judgments, 

 and indeed are wont to praise none but their own 

 productions. As soon as I know that you are well, 

 however, and that you live not unmindful of us here, 

 I propose to myself frequently to enjoy this intercourse 

 by letter, and I shall take care to transmit other books 

 to you. I pray for many and prosperous years to your 

 Duke ; and for yourself a long ev^/xept'a. Farewell, 

 most learned sir, and love in return. 



Yours, most truly, 



WILLIAM HARVEY. 



The I5th of July, 1651. 



LETTER IV 

 In reply to R. Mori son, M.D., of Paris 



ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, The reason why your most kind 

 letter has remained up to this time unanswered is 

 simply this, that the book of M. Pecquet, upon which 

 you ask my opinion, did not come into my hands until 

 towards the end of the past month. It stuck by the 

 way, I imagine, with some one, who, either through 

 negligence, or desiring himself to see what was newest, 

 has for so long a time hindered me of the pleasure 

 I have had in the perusal. That you may, therefore, 

 at once and clearly know my opinion of this work, 

 I say that I greatly commend the author for his assiduity 

 in dissection, for his dexterity in contriving new experi- 

 ments, and for the shrewdness which he still evinces in 

 his remarks upon them. With what labour do we 



