MEMOIR OF SIR HANS SLOANE, BART. 7 



In 1704, Dr. Sloane sustained a great affliction in the loss of his 

 intimate friend and the companion of his pursuits in natural history, 

 Mr. Ray. He had now enjoyed his society for more than twenty 

 years, and had corresponded with him during this long period. 

 Several of the letters are printed in the Collection of Correspon- 

 dence between Mr. Ray and his Friends ; and others are preserved 

 among the Sloane MSS. in the British Museum.* The following 

 is the last letter ever written by Mr. Ray, about ten days before his 

 death, and presents an affecting, but consolatory, picture of the state 

 of mind of this great and good man, at that awful period. 



" Dear Sir, — The best of friends : these are to take a final leave of you in 

 this world. I look upon myself as a dying man, God requite your kindness, 

 expressed any ways towards me, an hundred fold ; bless you with a conflu- 

 ence of all good things in this world, and eternal life and happiness hereafter: 

 grant us an happy meeting in heaven. 



I am, Sir, eternally your's, 



Black Notley, Jan. 7, John Ray. 



1704-5. 



" Postscript — When you happen to write to my sincere friend, Dr. Hatton, 

 I pray tell him I received his most obliging and affectionate letter, for which 

 I return thanks ; and acquaint him that I was not able to answer it, or " 



Here his strength failed him — he could write no more. Dr. 

 Sloane, soon after the death of his friend, was fortunate enough to 

 become acquainted with the celebrated Dr. Sydenham, who was so 



* A list of such of the MSS. as relate to Sir Hans Sloane, will, we think, 

 be acceptable to our readers : — 

 No. 



1968 Miscellaneous Letters and Papers. 



2824 Catalogue of a Collection of Medals made in Spain, bought by him.. 

 3328-9 Miscellaneous Papers. 



3400 A Poem, presented to Sir H. S. by W. Howard. 

 3516 Other Poems to him. 

 3692 Epigram to, by M. Mattaire. 

 3962 His Letters to Mr. Charleton. 

 3984, 4034 Medical Papers ; on the Plague and on College of Physicians ; 



and Letters to him. 

 3998 Medical Papers. 

 4020, 4025 Papers on Natural History. 

 4032 A Pocket-book, containing Medical Cases, in 1682. 

 4036 to 4070 Letters to Sir Hans Sloane. 

 4075-8 Medical Papers. 

 4288 His Letters to R. des Maizeaux. 

 4298 Transcripts, by Dr. Birch. 

 4318 Letters to Dr. Birch. 



