440 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. RAY to [Mr. PETIVER?]. 



SIR, I received your affectionate and obliging letter, 

 and return you many thanks for your good opinion of rny 

 doings, and so much the more by how much I am sen- 

 sible it is less deserved. Though I dare not suspect for 

 insincere anything I find therein, but do look upon all as 

 the real language of your mind, and true expression of 

 your present sense, yet I should very much contradict 

 my own knowledge should I accept as due the high 

 character you are pleased to bestow upon my mean per- 

 formances, or value myself thereby. Tecum habita et 

 noris quam sit tibi curta supellex, was a good advice of 

 the poet. I may truly say, that if, secluding affection, 

 you would, after just examination, weigh my ' History of 

 Plants ' in the incorrupt balance of impartial judgment, 

 you would find it rather to need pardon than to merit 

 praise, so many defects and errors there might be dis- 

 covered therein. Though I was to blame for undertaking 

 such a task, being conscious of my own inability to per- 

 form it, yet more culpable for not rendering it so correct 

 and perfect as I was capable, by huddling it up in haste, 

 and not bestowing time and pains enough upon it ; in 

 excuse whereof I have no more to plead than I have 

 already alleged in the preface. 



As for what I have said concerning yourself, I am sure 

 that could not bribe you so far to exceed in my com- 

 mendations, it being no more than you might justly 

 challenge. You may, without the least imputation of 

 pride or self-flattery, think as well of your own abilities 

 as the usual acception of these epithets amounts to ; and 

 this all that know you so well as I do must needs acknow- 

 ledge is no more than the truth will warrant. I hope ere 

 long you will verify what I have written of you, and 

 oblige the ingenious by making public, with the addition 

 of your learned illustrations, that rich treasure, or botanic 



