LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 91 



I could wish wee had youre Diophantus which was ready for 

 the presse before my departure from you. Those rules of 

 algebra (though few) which you gave mee and exercise have 

 made mee able to doe many pretty questions. I entend to 

 reade no authour of that subject untill I may be so happie to 

 reade something of yours. Sir, if there bee anything wherein 

 I might serve you, I desire you to use 



Your thankfull friend & humble servant, 



WILLIAM PETTY. 



HENRY POWER TO SIR THOMAS BROWNE. 



[MS. Sloan. Brit. Mus. No. 3418, fol. 94.] 



Hallifax, June 13th, 1646. 



Right Worshipfull, I could not overslippe those kind 

 respects, and faire expressions you pleased to shew towards 

 me in Mr. Smith's letter, without the returne of a few gratu- 

 latory lines. The presentment whereof I cannot count a 

 piece of presumption, since you layd me the foundation to 

 worke upon. I cannott but really thanke you for the com- 

 munication of your opinion ; I shall trace your directions, by 

 which meanes I question not but I shall attaine to the utmost 

 of my desires. My yeers in the University are whole up to a 

 midle bachelaur-shippe, which height of a graduate I am 

 sure ought to speake him indefective in any part of philo- 

 sophy. Our second yeere of sophistry is always taken up in 

 physicall contemplation (without perfect knowledge whereof 

 no cleere passage is granted to any in the commencement 

 house), and I hope no materiall piece then passed my eie, an 

 extract whereof is not remanent in my present selfe. Yet I 

 shall (submitting to your maturer judgment) review the 

 whole body of philosophy, especially naturall. The pleasant- 

 nesse of which science (had not your desires concurred) might 

 have re-invited me to that study. I intended to have scene 

 Cambridge a moneth since : but some intervening accidents 

 still quas'd my jorney: and now you know that supernaturall 

 cause which prolongs my stay here. I hope the heavynesse 

 of that hand will shortly be removed, and our colledge re- 

 pupill'd, and then (God willing) I will increase the number. 

 I shall waite there of your instructions : what physicall in- 

 stitutions you please to appoint, I question not but the 

 University affords ; and I shall be ready to make use of them, 

 and of each opportunity the weeke affords, wherin I may 



