370 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



Black Notley, Feb. 19, 1700. 



SIR, I received yours with the inclosed from Dr. 

 Preston, for which I thank you. When you write next to 

 him be pleased to tell him, that I return him many thanks 

 for the pains he hath taken in my behalf, and that I intend 

 shortly to answer the particulars of his letter. As to my 

 ' Methodus Emendata,' it lies by me finished, and ready 

 for the press, but I believe will hardly ever be printed. 

 No bookseller will undertake it, and Dr. Robinson writes 

 me, that the undertakers for Mr. Lhwyd's 'Lithophy- 

 lacium,' complain that they are losers by it, so that 

 nothing is to be attempted that way. Mr. Smith and 

 Walford at present are very busy in endeavouring to pro- 

 cure subscriptions for my Supplement, which, if they 

 shall fail them, I believe they will not undertake it, and 

 so that also is in danger to be suppressed. 



Being much indisposed at present by a diarrhoea pretty 

 violent upon me, I can add no more, but the tender of 

 my wife and daughters' very humble service to you, and 

 thanks for the obligations you have laid upon them, and 

 that I am, 



Sir, 



Your very much obliged friend and humble servant, 



JOHN RAY. 



I had almost forgot the particular business that in- 

 duced rne to write at this uneasy time, viz. that I have 

 sent you this morning by carrier Dr. Preston's dried 

 plants. 



For his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



