338 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



B.K, April 13, 98. 



SIR, I received yours of April the 7th by Friday's 

 post, and by carrier the parcel therein mentioned, con- 

 taining two tribes of trees, and Mons. Tournefort's book, 

 which I shall more carefully peruse and consider. The 

 copy of my Supplement being ready for the press, I put it 

 into Mr. Smith's hands, because at his instance I drew it 

 up, and he hath furnished me with books all along for 

 carrying it on. So that it is his, and I am but his 

 journeyman or operator. But yet had I known that there 

 were any so ill-natured persons as to wish ill to you 'and 

 your doings, I should have cautioned him not to show it 

 to anybody but such as I should order him. Indeed I 

 have given him commission to show it none but yourself 

 and Dr. Robinson, with whom I hope you stand right. 

 He is the person to whom I am beholden for my know- 

 ledge of you and acquaintance with you, and hath not 

 long since in his letters to me commended your ' Jamaica 

 Catalogue.' None hath as yet seen or shall see any of 

 your papers, so long as they are in my hands. I have 

 not seen Mr. Dale since the receipt of your letter, but 

 when I do, I shall desire of him a sight of the Medicina 

 curiosa. My wife gives you her very humble service. 

 We all are indifferently well, as I hope yom'self and 

 whole family also are. So I take leave, and rest, 



Sir, 

 Yours in all offices of love and service, 



JOHN RAY. 



For his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



