436 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



Black Notley, November 17, 1703. 



SIR, I received yours of the 13th November by post, 

 and the next day your rich and noble present of sugar by 

 carrier, for which myself and relatives here return you 

 our very humble service and thanks, which is all the 

 amends we are either at present able, or for the future 

 likely to make you ; yet am I willing and desirous to 

 testify my gratitude by some real effect of it, if at any 

 time it shall lie in my power. 1 shall be very glad to see 

 your China, Indian, and Badminton plants, believing 

 them to be a rare spectacle ; but, alas, I am not conversant 

 enough with exotic plants as to be able to rectify any 

 mistakes about them. I fear they come too late to be 

 inserted in my Supplement. I am so constantly afflicted 

 with pain, that I am able to do little, and can proceed 

 but very slowly in any business I undertake. I have not 

 laid aside all thoughts of the History of Insects, but wait 

 till this Supplement be off hand before I set upon it. 

 Dr. Robinson would have me first to compose and pub- 

 lish a Method of Insects, which I think might be of use, 

 especially if I should happen to die before the History be 

 finished. My booksellers have imposed a new task upon 

 me, that is, to make such alterations and amendments as 

 are necessary or convenient in, and additions to, my three 

 Physico-theological discourses, which they are now about 

 to print the third time. This being all I have to com- 

 municate at present, I take leave, and rest, 



Sir, 

 Yours in all service, 



JOHN RAY. 



To his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



