130 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. RAT to Dr. HANS SLOANE.* 



Black Notley, June 8, 81. 



SIR, It is now about a fortnight since the post 

 brought me your very civil and obliging letter, the 

 receipt whereof I should sooner have acknowledged, but 

 that I awaited the arrival of your acceptable present, 

 which Mr. Smith sent me not till last week, deferring so 

 long, I suppose, that he might send my book and that 

 together, which, by the printer's fault, was not sooner 

 furnished. I am too conscious of my own weakness to 

 own what you write of me, yet look upon it as an effect 

 of your kindness and goodwill, it being a common fault 

 in friends to permit their affection too much to influence 

 and bias their judgment. I am sorry that I had not 

 leisure and opportunity when I was in London curiously 

 to view your rare collection of plants. I know I should 

 have received much information and satisfaction thereby. 

 I hope you persist in your resolution of making your 

 discoveries and observations public, for your own honour, 

 and the advancement of real philosophy, and that you 

 move forwards vigorously in it. I am sensible that the 

 charge of figures may deter you, therefore I think it were 

 adviseable to imitate Dr. Plukenet, to draw them in 

 piccolo, using a small scale, and thrust many species into 

 a plate. I would not have the ingenious deferred the 

 fruition of such a treasure, the sight of so grateful 

 objects, nor you the credit of your inventions. 



I hope you have received the little tract which I 

 ordered Mr. Smith to present you with a copy of. If 

 you come down into the country this summer, I hope 

 you will do us the kindness to give us a visit at Black 

 Notley. My wife (who tenders her humble service to 

 you), as well as myself, would be very glad to see you 



* Memorials, p. 40. 



