)l 



98 LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 



were roots ; I have altered it thus, to put a rule either over 

 or under the number, and let it be of the same body with the 

 rest. For I presume the end of that different character was 

 only to make it visible, and I conceive this makes it more 

 visible and distinct, and besides it avoides that unhandsome 

 intrenchment upon the page which you will find in the Dutch 

 edition. But these things you will better observe when the 

 first sheet comes to your hands, which I hope you will find 

 well done. They goe on slowly, because the short rules 

 between the descending parallels are very chargeable, and 

 therefore they have no more than will compose \ a sheet at k 

 once ; so that they do but one whole sheet in a fortnight. 

 I should be very glad to wait on you at London, could the~ 

 health of that place invite you thither. In the mean time, I 

 beg your candid interpretation of anything that comes from 

 me in word or deed as to this matter, for as much as, if I know 

 my own inclination, of all vices I am not disposed to deceit 

 or impudence, and in this particular I have very cogent 

 obligations to the contrary. I had written sooner but that I 

 was confined to my chamber by an ague, which, by God's 

 goodnes, is now removed, not without some small relishes of 

 it, which I hope will passe away. It's scarce pertinent to 

 tell you that there was a report about town that you had left 

 this world for a better. Your own lines to Mr. Collins are a 

 solid refutation. God Almighty continue your health and 

 opportunityes to serve his glory, 'tis the prayer of, Sir, 

 Your ever obliged to honour and serve you, 



THO: BBANCKEB. 



THOMAS BRANCKER TO JOHN PELL. 



[MS. Birch, Brit. Mus. 4278, fol. 38, Orig.] 



Tottenham, June 2 1st, 1666. 



Honoured Sir, By the hands of Mr. Collins I received 

 your last on Friday, viz : 4 leaves of copy for the sheet P ; 

 but without any note for direction for printing therof, or by 

 way of answere to anything of my last. This I only advertise 

 you of that, if any such letter were intended, you may under- 

 stand it was casually excluded the covert. I humbly thank 

 you for the pains and accuracy in those papers, and I hope 

 further directions for printing them are not altogether neces- 

 sary. I have transcribed them without any alteration, unlesse 

 so far as was needfull to conform it to the marks wherein the 



