Letters 199 



hands, were even such assistance as you indicate at my 

 command : ; but it is not ; Highmore does not live in 

 our neighbourhood, and I have not seen him for a 

 period of some seven years. So much I write at present, 

 most learned sir, trusting it will be taken in good part 

 as coming from yours, 



Very sincerely and respectfully, 



\YILLIAM HARVEY. 



London, I3th July, 1655 (old style). 



LETTER VIII 



To the very learned John Nardi, of Florence, a man 

 distinguished alike for his virtues, life, and erudition 



MOST EXCELLENT SIR, I lately received your 

 most agreeable letter, from which I am equally de- 

 lighted to learn that you are well, that you go on 

 prosperously, and labour strenuously in our chosen 

 studies. But I am not informed whether my letter in 

 reply to yours, along with a few books forwarded at the 

 same time, have come to hand or not. I should be 

 happy to have news on this head at your earliest con- 

 venience, and also to be made acquainted with the 

 progress you make in your " Noctes Geniales," and 

 other contemplated works. For I am used to solace 

 my declining years, and to refresh my understanding, 

 jaded with the trifles of every-day life, by reading the 

 best works of this description. I have again to return 

 you my best thanks for your friendly offices to my 

 nephew when at Florence in former years : and on the 

 arrival in Italy of another of my nephews (who is the 



C 1 Horst, in the letter to which the above is an answer, had said, 

 " Nobilissime Harveie, &c. Most noble Harvey, I only wish you couid 

 snatch the leisure to explain to the world the true use of these lymphatic 

 and thoracic ducts. You have many illustrious scholars, particularly 

 Highmore, with whose assistance it were easy to solve al! doubts.' ] 



